Agenda and 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 2 November, 2021

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.

Consideration was given to a report asking Members to consider the proposed taxi and private hire fees following consultation.

Members’ attention was drawn to the table at paragraph 3.1 of the report.  Column b was current fees and column d showed the proposed charges.  Column c showed charges agreed for 2021/22 but those were not implemented.

Concerns were raised about drivers who were licenced by other Authorities operating in the Newcastle area which diminished the control on regulations and also some drivers were reluctant to do the training.

Resolved:     That the proposed fees for 2022/23 be approved.

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Consideration was given to a report informing Members of an upcoming introduction of Tax Conditionality Provisions.

Tax checks on applicants and licence holders would come into force from 4 April, 2022.

Resolved:     That the report be noted.

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Consideration was given to a report seeking Members’ consideration as to removing or replacing the BTEC qualification requirement in relation to new taxi driver applicant eligibility.

The BTEC qualification, run by Stoke-on Trent College had been removed from their list of courses in 2021 and Members were asked to consider the Policy’s eligibility criteria in respect of BTEC qualifications.

Members were advised that the majority of elements within the BTEC were covered in the Council’s Knowledge Test.

Resolved:     (i)         That it be noted that one of the current eligibility

qualification criteria for new applicants was no longer available in the local area.

(ii)        That the BTEC requirement be removed from the current

policy and that the Council’s Knowledge Test, currently in place be used as a replacement, with immediate effect.

(iii)       That there was no foreseeable detrimental impact arising from the policy change and therefore no formal consultation on this policy change was required.

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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, subject to Councillor John Williams being recorded as present at the 15 December meeting, the Minutes of the meetings held on 7^th and 15^th December, 2021 and 19th January, 2022 be received.

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.