Agenda and draft minutes

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 8 October, 2025 be agreed as a correct record

Consideration was given to a report informing Members of a Home Office consultation which would allow certain licensed premised to open later than normal in the event of  home nations team reaching the semi-finals or final of the men’s football world cup.

The consultation would end on 15 January, 2026 and this Council’s responses were shown at paragraph 2.5 of the report.

Councillor Johnson asked if the big screen in the town centre would be showing any matches.

The Council’s Licensing Administration Team Leader advised that the screen was not under the remit of Regulatory Services.  It was the Neighbourhood Team’s remit as to what was shown.

The Chair asked if the question could be asked regarding showing the matches on the screen.

The Council’s Mobile Multi-Functional Manager advised that discussions were currently in place with Newcastle Business Improvement District as to what plans were in place and what events would be on following the world cup.

Resolved:    (i)       That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)      That that the proposed response be submitted prior to the

consultation closing.

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

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Consideration was given to a report informing members of upcoming changes to legislation in relation to new primate licensing requirements.

From 6 April, 2026 any person keeping a non-human primate would be required to hold a licence issued by the local authority unless already licensed by a zoo or scientific legislation.

The regulation placed new responsibilities on the Council and officers had undertaken relevant training.

Resolved:    That the report be received and noted.

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Consideration was given to a report updating Members of four government consultations which this Council had responded to, which related to current and proposed licensing regimes.

The consultations were outlined at paragraphs 1.1 to 1.4 and responses to those were attached at appendices A to D.

Councillor Adcock thanked the officers for the work that had gone into the report and made reference to the consultation on cross border taxi licensing response reflected the conversations that had been had over a number of years and the responses to the vaping bill were very well put.

The Council’s Licensing Administration Team Leader stated that a report on cross border hiring would be brought to the next meeting of this Committee.  There was currently another consultation looking at which level of local authority dealt with taxi licensing and whether it should be the responsibility of local transport authorities.

The Chair stated that it was important to continue to respond to future government consultations in order to protect the public and promote economic growth.

Resolved:    That the contents of the report be noted.

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Consideration was given to a report seeking approval for the proposed taxi and private hire fees and charges, following consultation for 2026-27. 

The table at paragraph 2.7 showed the proposed changes to the fees and charges.

The Chair thanked officers for including her proposal to show the actual monetary change alongside the percentage change.

Resolved:    That the proposed taxi and private hire fees for 2026/27 be approved.

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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 held on 12 November and 9 December, 2025, be received.

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.

There were no confidential items

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.