Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED

That Councillor Jim Sanson be elected Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

RESOLVED

That Councillor John Blackall be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2020

(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 of the committee held on 9 June 2020 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-Committee held on 14 December 2020

The minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee were noted.

The Head of Environmental Health & Licensing gave a brief overview of changes in legislation, which had been introduced to help protect those living in residential caravan sites from unscrupulous site owners.  The regulations required that a local authority must be satisfied that the owner of a mobile home site, or a person appointed on their behalf, was a fit and proper person to manage the site.

Members noted that a fees policy and new processes needed to be established; the Council had to establish a process for receiving applications and making and issuing decisions.  A Fit and Proper Person register would also be established.

Members had submitted some minor amendments to the draft Mobile Homes Act Fees Policy as set out in Appendix 2, which would make the document clearer and correct minor grammatical errors.

RESOLVED

i)        To note the new statutory powers local authorities have under the Regulations.

ii)       To approve the proposed amendments to the Mobile Homes Act Fees Policy set out in Appendix 2 to this report, subject to minor amendments as agreed with the Head of Environmental Health & Licensing.

iii)      TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL

          To approve £3,000 of fee income and £3,000 of additional officer costs in the 2021/22 budget.

REASON

i)        To ensure compliance with legislative requirements,

ii)       To ensure transparency and openness in decision making, and

iii)      To ensure that the budget is approved in line with the constitution.

The Head of Environmental Health & Licensing presented the report, which set out proposed changes to the Council’s hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy and guidance. These changes were required in the light of statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards that had been introduced by the Department for Transport in July 2020.

The policy sought to ensure safety and comfort, keeping children and adults from risk of harm.  There would be a public consultation on the draft policy, as set out in Appendix A, before being presented to full Council for adoption.

The Head of Environmental Health & Licensing responded to a number of questions from the Committee.  He agreed to advise the Committee of what proportion of HDC taxis had wheelchair access. Members noted that fees and charges gave incentives that were attractive to electric vehicles.  Members also noted the Council’s intention of joining a national database to help with the assessment of potential taxi drivers.

TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL

That, subject to any responses to the public consultation, the statutory taxi & private hire standards and conditions set out in Appendix 1 of this report is brought before the next available full Council for adoption. 

REASON

i)        To protect the public.

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 was no urgent business. 

In response to a request from the Chairman, the Head of Environmental Health & Licensing confirmed that training would be offered to all members of the Committee, in particular those who had joined this municipal year.