Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Mrs Cornes, Welsh and White

There were no declarations of interest stated

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 February, 2014.

Resolved:-                    That the minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 3 February, 2014 be agreed as a correct record

Resolved:-               That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following matters because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in  paragraphs 1,2, and 7 in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972

Private Hire Driver – Mr NY

Mr NY, an applicant for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence had failed to attend at the last two meetings of this Committee and as a result, the Committee decided to consider the application in his absence.

Resolved:-                                  That, having regard to the Council’s Guidelines and also the nature and gravity of the convictions disclosed, the application be refused.

Private Hire Driver – Mr MK

Resolved:-              That, consideration of this application be deferred to the next meeting on 23 June, 2014.

Consideration was given to a report advising of actions taken in respect of littering offences within the Borough and seeking authorisation to institute legal proceedings against Fixed Penalty Notice Holders referred to in the agenda.

Resolved:-                                  That legal proceedings be instituted in relation to those persons referred to in the agenda.  

Consideration was given to a report outlining the  standards of maintenance of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage vehicles licensed by this authority.

The Council’s Fleet Manager circulated a report outlining the number of taxi-test failures and highlighted the fact that there was only a 35% pass rate of the vehicles undertaking the taxi test.

Members discussed the issues and a request was made for the provision of a breakdown of the serious and minor failings; separation of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles to assess which had the poorer pass rate, details of any persistent offenders and also, ages of the vehicles.

Resolved:-              That, in view of the additional information presented at the meeting and the request for additional information, the item be deferred to the next meeting of 23 June, 2014.

Consideration was given to a report concerning the age profile of the Hackney Carriage Fleet prior to consideration of the proposal to amend the Council’s policy in connection with the age of saloon-type Hackney Carriage Vehicles.

The Committee had previously requested further information relating to the number of vehicles that would be affected in the first year.

A number of Hackney Carriage Drivers were in attendance and raised concerns that, the differences in ages of Hackney and Private Hire could cause a migration of Private Hire to Hackney at a time where there had been a significant loss of trade.  The trade also proposed that two tests per year be considered and agreed that vehicle standards would be subject to further report.

Resolved:-              That it be recommended to Full Council that as from 1^st January, 2015 all hackney carriage vehicles that are saloon cars will cease to be relicensed when they are eight years of age.

Consideration was given to a report advising Members of action taken in respect of a fly-tipping offence within the borough and to seek the Committees authorisation to institute legal proceedings.

Resolved:-               That legal proceedings be instituted in relation to the fly tipping offence.

Members considered a report regarding the reviewing of licensing standards for catteries.

The Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 requires anyone wishing to keep a boarding establishment to be licensed by the local authority.

Ten catteries are currently licensed by the borough.

Resolved:-              (i)       That the Committee confirms its

support, in principal, to updating the licensing

standards and approves further research by officers and consultation with businesses to determine its impact.

(ii)       That a further report be submitted to the next meeting detailing officer’s findings and a final decision made as to whether the benefits of adopting new standards outweigh any adverse impact it may have on businesses

Consideration was given to a report advising Members of actions taken in respect of littering offences within the borough.

Members raised concerns regarding the litter left behind by the recycling teams when collecting recycling as some items were being left behind.  The Council’s Head of Environmental Health Services was requested to raise this issue at their next contract meeting.

Resolved:-              That the information be received.

Members considered a report relating to the use of Enforced Sale powers to

achieve the aims of the Empty Homes Strategy 2012-2017.  Enforced Sale would help to change the ownership of an empty home.

Resolved:-              That it be recommended to Full Council that the power to commence the Enforced Sale procedure set out under the Law of Property Act 1925 be delegated to the Public Protection Committee.