Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Rose Bowler, Councillor David Downes, Councillor Evonne Parkin and Councillor Dan Salt.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business to be considered at the meeting.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered

c)  any matters arising out of those items

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

To consider the minutes of the last General Licensing Committee meeting held on 7^th October 2021.

Moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Andrew Joesbury.

RESOLVED that the minutes of General Licensing Committee on 7^th October 2021 be accepted as a correct record.

The Chair explained to Members that at a General Licensing Sub Committee meeting on 11^th November 2021, a Member panel carried out a hearing for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Driver application. During the hearing, officers informed the Sub Committee that the DVLA had sent a letter for the applicant to the incorrect address. The Members on the hearing panel requested that a letter be sent from the Chair to the DVLA expressing their disappointment that the DVLA sent this letter to the incorrect location.

The Chair informed Members that in response to this request, the Governance Officer had prepared a draft letter (attached) from the Chair to the DVLA.

It was moved by Councillor Rita Turner and seconded by Councillor Mary Dooley to send the attached draft letter to the DVLA without amendments.

RESOLVED that the attached draft letter from the Chair be sent to the DVLA without amendments.

(Governance Officer)

The Environmental Health Team Manager – Licensing presented a report to Members to consider the responses to the Taxi and Private Hire policy consultation and approve the draft Taxi and Private Hire policies for possible adoption at Council.

Councillor Maxine Dixon asked if these policies included the Mandatory CCTV in Taxis policy. The Solicitor explained that the proposed Mandatory CCTV in Taxis policy was separate to these policies, and it would be considered again by General Licensing Committee on 10^th February 2022.

Councillor Maxine Dixon was concerned that North East Derbyshire District Council appeared to be further along in the process for arranging these policies. The Environmental Health Team Manager – Licensing explained that implementation of the policies would happen at the same time for both authorities.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Mary Dooley and seconded by Councillor Andrew Joesbury.

RESOLVED that:

(i) The General Licensing Committee notes the outcome of the Public Consultation on the proposed amendments to the Taxi and Private Hire Policies and the feelings expressed by respondents to the consultation.

(ii) The General Licensing Committee notes the subsequent amendments to the Taxi and Private Hire Policies outlined in the report.

(iii) The Joint Assistant Director (Environmental Health) be required to make a report to the next Council meeting to consider a recommendation to adopt the draft policies.

(Joint Assistant Director - Environmental Health/Environmental Health Team Manager – Licensing)

The meeting concluded at 11:16 hours.