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 15 February, 2022  be

agreed as a correct record.

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 meeting held on 10 June, 2022  be

received.

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

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Members received an update on a new piece of legislation – Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act, 2022.

The Act would seek to improve the safety of passengers.  Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 2 of the report which outlined the main points of the Act.

Resolved:     That the contents of the report be noted.

Watch the debate here

Members received an update on a new piece of legislation – Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act, 2022.

The Act would seek to reduce discrimination against disabled people by addressing barriers they faced in accessing taxis. Members’ attention was drawn to paragraphs 2.1 to 2.7 of the report which outlined the amendments made to the Equality Act, 2010.

Resolved:     That the contents of the report be noted.

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Consideration was given to a report informing Members of a recent consultation carried out by the Deportment for Transport (DfT) in relation to their Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Best Practice Guidance.

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 2.2 of the report which outlined five areas that the DfT considered to be most contentious.  Paragraph 2.4 outlined other proposals which officers found to be contentious or that required clarification.

Attached at Appendix A was a copy of the consultation responses which had been sent to the DfT.

A query was raised as to whether this was advisory or mandatory.

Members were advised that it was advisory, the Government was suggesting what should be looked at.

Once the final Best Practice document was published, it would be brought back to this committee where Members would be asked for their comments upon areas which would affect the Council’s policy and to make any required changes to it.

A question was asked regarding tinted windows which were referred to at section 8 under paragraph 2.2.  This Council had, in the past refused vehicles for having tinted windows.  Could this Committee advise drivers not to bring vehicles to be licenced that had tinted windows.

The current Policy had provision within it that the Council did not accept vehicles with tinted rear passenger windows that let in less than 35% transmission of light.  Where vehicles had factory fitted tinted privacy windows not allowing in that amount of light, the driver would have to either choose another vehicle or change the windows.

The number of current licensed vehicles was queried as opposed to pre-pandemic.

The number had reduced from 900 vehicles across the fleet to around 700. These numbers had started to decrease before the pandemic.     

Resolved:     That the contents of the report be noted.

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Consideration was given to a report seeking Member support to initiate a six week public consultation on two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) in Newcastle following ongoing reports of anti-social behaviour.

Attention was drawn to paragraph 2 which set out proposed prohibitions.

Members were referred to Appendices 1 and 2 which set out the PSPO’s.

Following the consultation, the PSPO’s would be brought back to this committee to consider comments and requirements.  A further consultation would then take place before being brought back for approval of the final documents. 

It was stated that this was an ongoing issue that needed enforcement.  Restrictions had been placed in the past and the question was asked – who enforced them. The police were needed in the town centre and the parks to enforce the PSPO’s.

A query was raised as to when PSPO’s first came out. 

They were introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, 2014.  The Council first implemented the PSPO’s in 2019.

Resolved:     That public consultations be carried out for the two Public Space

Protection Orders for Newcastle Town Centre and Queen Elizabeth Park.

 Watch the debate here

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 held on 9 February, 2 March, 25 May and 8 June be received.

Members received an update on appeals against Council decisions.

Resolved:     That the contents of the report be noted.

Members received a report regarding drink spiking.

Resolved:     That the contents of the report be noted.

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

Members were asked for their availability to attend a Public Protection Sub-Committee on 13 July.

Members were asked for their availability to attend other Public Protection Sub-Committee meetings by way of a rota being drawn up for afternoon and evening availability.

Members were reminded of the training session being held on 14 July, 2022