Agenda and minutes

Members will disclose any pecuniary and any other significant interests they may have in relation to the matters under consideration.

None.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 24 May 2022.

The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on the 24 May 2022 were approved as a correct record.

In accordance with Paragraph 11 of the Access to Information Rules in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chief Executive has determined that the report submitted under item 5 of this agenda is “Not for Publication” because it contains “exempt information”, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

 If the Committee agrees that the public and press should be excluded for this item, it will need to pass the following resolution:

 “That the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst agenda item 5 be considered, as it refers to exempt information as defined in category 1 (information relating to any individual) of Part 1 of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act, 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Variation Order 2006 and, that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information”.

In accordance with Paragraph 11 of the Access to Information Rules in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chief Executive had determined that the reports submitted under item 5 of this agenda were “Not for Publication” because they contained “exempt information”, as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Committee passed the following resolution: “That the public and press be excluded from the meeting whilst agenda item 5 was being considered, as it referred to exempt information as defined in category 1 (information relating to any individual) of Part 1 of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Variation Order 2006 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of the Corporate Director Environment.

The Corporate Director Environment submitted a report to provide members of the Licensing Committee with information to assist them in their decision making process at the hearing.

The applicant, as well as a character witness, were both present at the hearing.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report to the committee.

Members received representations from the applicant. 

Members asked questions of the applicant.

Following questions, the applicant, their character witness, the Senior Licensing Officer and the Manager of Food, health & Safety and Licensing left the room whilst the committee members considered the decision.

In reaching its decision the committee had regard to:

1.    Sections 51(1)(a), 53(1)(a),(b) and 59(1)(a) of Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

2.    The Wyre Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy on Convictions (including Section 1.14 and 1.15 on departure from policy) and other relevant matters

The applicant and his solicitor, the Senior Licensing Officer and the Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer were brought back into the room and the Licensing Committee reconvened and the Chair announced the committee’s decision.

Decision

The Committee resolved not to grant a three year dual driver’s license.

Reasons for the decision

The Committee was not satisfied that the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a Wyre dual driver’s licence. The Committee found that departure from the Council’s policies was not justified in all the circumstances of this case.

Full reasons for the decision would be sent to the applicant.

Report of the Corporate Director Environment.

The Corporate Director Environment submitted a report regarding the issue of the variation of Hackney Carriage Fares within Wyre Borough. The purpose of the report was to provide members with information to assist them in considering the proposal from members of the trade for a variation in the maximum fares which may be charged by hackney carriages licensed by Wyre Council.

There were four representatives of the Wyre Hackney Carriage Association in attendance.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report. He explained to members that they were being asked to consider the various options presented of which option 3 was preferred by the Wyre Hackney Carriage Association. If an option were to be recommended for approval, or recommended with amendments, it would be considered by the Council’s executive and, if approved, would be publicly advertised, as stated in paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 of the report.

Members asked questions of the officer, including whether electric/hybrid vehicles would be included in the proposal.

The four representatives of the Association spoke to the committee. They also represented the main hackney carriage companies in the borough.

Members asked the representatives whether they foresaw another rise in fares in the future, to which the representatives responded that they would not expect another rise for some time, but that this rise was important due to the unexpected price increases on petrol. Members also asked whether they had completed any further socio-economic analysis when drafting their proposal, and how it would impact on their business.

Following questions, the representatives, the Senior Licensing Officer and the Manager for Food, Health & Safety and Licensing left the room whilst the committee members considered the decision.

Decision

Having considered the existing fares and the options in the report, the Committee  supported Option 3and accordingly resolved to recommend to the Council’s executive that the Hackney Carriage table of fares be amended as follows:   

Hackney Carriage Fares - Wyre Borough

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Section 65

Scale of maximum charges fixed by Wyre Borough Council with respect to Hackney Carriages in the Borough to operate from:

NOTE: Tariff 2 applies to hiring’s on Monday to Thursday inclusive between 21:00hrs and 00:00hrs, 19.00hrs Friday until 0.00hrs Saturday morning, 06.00hrs Saturday morning until 0.00hrs Sunday morning, 06.00hrs Sunday morning until 0.00hrs Monday morning. 06.00 - 07.00hrs Monday to Friday mornings. All day on Statutory Holidays and Bank Holidays.

Tariff 3 applies 00.00hrs - 06.00hrs Monday to Sunday. (Tariff 2 plus 60 pence)

Tariff 4 (Xmas & New Year) applies between 18.00hrs of 24s December to 07.00hrs on 27th December and between 18.00hrs on 31^st December to 07.00hrs on 2^nd January. (Tariff 2 + £3.00)

Tariff 1 applies at all other times.

(a) Mileage

Tariff I: £3.10 for the first 340 meters or uncompleted part thereof.

20p for each subsequent 165 meters or uncompleted part thereof.

Tariff 2: £3.30 for the first 260 meters or uncompleted part thereof

20p for each subsequent 130 meters or uncompleted part thereof.

(b) Waiting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.