Agenda and minutes

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2017

(Note: If any Member wishes to propose an amendment to the minutes they should submit this in writing to committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk at least 24 hours before the meeting.  Where applicable, the audio recording of the meeting will be checked to ensure the accuracy of the proposed amendment.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Committee

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Committee or the Chief Executive

There were no announcements.

To receive the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committees held at 10am and 2pm on 29 September 2017

The minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 29 September  were received.

The Head of Environmental Health & Licensing reported on the proposed fees for various licences issued by the Environmental Health & Licensing Department. The fees, if approved by the Committee, would take effect on 1 April 2018.

The individual licence fees had been calculated to recover the cost of issuing the licence and enforcing the requirements of the legislation; legislation required that fees could not make a surplus for the Council.  An increase of 2%, where appropriate, had been proposed to allow for inflation and increased council costs.  

RESOLVED

That the fees for licences issued during 2018/19 be approved, as submitted, to take effect from 1 April 2018.

REASONS

i)       The setting of fees for licences is the responsibility of the Licensing Committee.

ii)      To ensure openness and transparency in decision making.

The Licensing Inspector presented the proposed fees for hackney carriage and private hire licences for the three financial years 2018/19 to 2020/21. The new fees would come into effect from 1 April 2018.

Fees for hackney carriage and private hire licences had last been set in 2015. Setting fees for a period of three years allowed the trade to plan ahead and be certain of their fees over that period.

The licence fees had been calculated to recover the cost of issuing the licence and ensuring compliance with the licence conditions.  An increase of 2% had been proposed to allow for inflation and increased council costs.  Members noted the proposed fees for different types and duration of licence as set out in Appendix 1 of the report. 

Officers confirmed that all drivers undertook an enhanced DBS check on application, and this was retaken every three years. Safeguard training was also offered on a voluntary basis, and there were some safeguarding questions included with the application.

The Council was required to consult with the hackney/private hire trade on the proposed fees before they could be implemented.

RESOLVED

(i)      That the proposed fees, as set out in the report, be approved for a statutory consultation with the hackney/private hire trade and the public.

(ii)     That, subject to there being no representations received as a result of the consultation, the implementation of the new fees be determined by the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing in consultation with the Chairman of the Licensing Committee.  

REASONS

(i)      To ensure compliance with legislative requirements.

(ii)     To ensure transparency and openness in decision making.

Items not on the agenda which the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as urgent because of the special circumstances

There were no matters of special urgency to be considered.