Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor John Cooper

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

There were no declarations of interest in relation to licensing matters.

Resolved:     That the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 October, 2018 be

agreed, subject to the recording of the following Members in attendance:

Councillors: Miss J Cooper, J Cooper, S Dymond, T Johnson, T Kearon, M Olszewski (Chair), A Parker, K Robinson, J Walklate, J Waring, S White, G Williams, J Williams and R Wright.

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

Resolved:     That the Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee, be received.

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

There were no declarations of interest stated in relation to public protection matters.

Consideration was given to a report to update Members on the consultation process for the council’s proposed Taxi Licensing policy and a request for members to approve an extension to the consultation period.

Members supported the extension following a request from members of the trade.

Resolved:     That the extension of the consultation period until 14 February,

2019, be approved.

Consideration was given to a report advising Members of changes that had occurred as a result of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations, 2018  which came into force on 1 October, 2018.

Members’ attention was brought to paragraph 1.3 of the agenda report and paragraph 2.8 which outlined the consequences of changes for the Council.

Members were advised that staff would require additional training in the future and that this work had to be prioritised.

Resolved:     (i)         That the impact that the new provisions will have on

                                    businesses/resident within the Borough, be noted.

                        (ii)        That the proposed full cost recovery fees and charges for

2019/20 (as detailed), be supported.

(iii)       That the Environmental Services Team Manager and Dog

and Enforcement Officers (x2) be appointed as suitably qualified Inspectors and enforce provisions,

(iv)       That the policies, in respect of reviews, appeals, re-inspection and refunds, as detailed in Appendix one, be agreed.

Consideration was given to a report seeking Members’ support to increase the number of environmental offences  where enforcement may be delivered through the issuing of penalty notices.

Two new provisions would be small scale fly tipping and littering from vehicles.

Members queried how littering from vehicles could be enforced.

The Council’s Head of Environmental Health Services, Mrs Nesta Barker stated that the Council could follow up reports from officers and the police and take reports from members of the public – although there would need to be sufficient evidence to progress any report.

Councillor Kearon suggested that if we knew of specific locations, could officers be drafted there.  Members were advised that this was a possibility.

Resolved:     (i)         That the range of penalty notices that can be issued – to

include (a) small scale fly tipping and (b) littering from vehicles, be agreed.

(ii)        That a charge of £400 in respect of fly tipping fixed penalties (reduced to £350 if paid within ten days) and a charge of £100 in respect of littering from vehicles penalty charge notices (reduced to £75 if paid within 14 days), be recommended.

Consideration was given to a report seeking Members’ approval for changes to the arrangements for the Public Protection Sub-Committee meetings.

The changes had been made to accommodate Members’ availability for the meetings.

Councillor John Williams raised concerns that, as these matters were now dealt with by a sub-committee, responsibility fell on three Members whereas the whole committee of fifteen members dealt with them previously.  Councillor Williams stated that the meetings needed to be monitored and any concerns addressed.  In addition, Councillor Williams requested that training be given to Members.

Mrs Barker stated that training was given on an annual basis with a half ay course but further training could also be given either as a group or on a one-to-one basis.

Councillor Kearon agreed with Councillor Williams’ concerns and added that the larger committee had a ‘collective memory’ of how matters had been dealt with in the past. The council’s Solicitor, Ms Anne-Marie Pollard state that each was dealt with on its own merit and that it was her role to advise on consistency.  In addition, the officers’ report also gave guidance on how to proceed.

Members pointed out that some of the proposed dates clashed with Full Council meetings.  Mrs Barker would revisit those dates and suggest alternatives.

Resolved:      (i)         That the report be received and Members note the  date

and time of their proposed attendances at sub-committees as necessary.

(ii)       That, should Members be unable to attend a sub-committee meeting, they notify Democratic Services of an available substitute.

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 if the following matter because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1,2 and 7 contained within 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 meetings be agreed.

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

There was no urgent business.