Agenda and minutes

An apology was received from Councillor Johnson and an apology for lateness was made on behalf of Councillor Parker.

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items contained within the agenda

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items contained within the agenda

There were no declarations of interest stated.

A hard copy of Appendix A, the Taxi Policy document will be available at the meeting.

The Head of Environmental Health Services and the Licensing Administration Team Manager jointly submitted an updated taxi policy document for the approval of the Committee.  The amended policy had been developed following a review which had demonstrated the need to update the current policy to ensure that it remained current and was fit for purpose.  A timetable for consultation with external partners was set out prior to adoption of the new policy in April 2019.

Members were supportive of the new policy and the requirement to pass an English Language writing and speaking course and including a second face to face post qualification interview.

Resolved      (i)         That approval be given to the draft Taxi Licensing Policy for Newcastle-under Lyme Borough Council

                        (ii)        That approval be given to the commencement of the 12 week consultation period.

                        (iii)       That any responses received to the consultation be considered by the Committee at the meeting to be held on 22 January 2019

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the attached report, 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.

Resolved:     That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following matter because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragrapghs1, 2 and 7 in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider the minutes of the Public Protection Sub-Committees which have met since the previous Licensing and Public Protection Committee.

Resolved:     That the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 July, 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972

There were no items of urgent business.

The Head of Environmental Health submitted a report which reviewed the arrangements of the Public Protection Committee.

The report considered the issue of member availability and suggested options to help address this including changes to the officer and Committee responsibilities. 

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Resolved:     That approval be given to Option 3 as follows

·        That the meetings be held on a Wednesday, alternating between a 2pm and 6pm start time.

·        That Committees be held about every 3 weeks

·        5 reports/cases to be on the agenda, unless agreed with the Chair.

·        Further meetings may be programmed, if needed.

·        A programme of meetings and nominated members to be developed and reported to Public Protection Committee to include 4 members per Sub Committee to ensure a quorum of 3 members attendance.

·        The Sub Committee Chair to be agreed between the Sub-Committee members

·        Should members be unable to attend the Sub Committee that they notify Democratic Services of an available substitute.

·        That the constitution be amended to permit a quorum of 2 members