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 19 August, 2025 be

agreed as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report advising upon the outcome of the draft Statement of Licensing Policy and  sought approval for the Policy to be submitted to Council.

Members were advised that one response had been received during consultation – from the Council’s Environmental Health Department.

Proposed amendments to the Policy were outlined at paragraph 2.3 of the report.

Councillor John Williams stated that it was disappointing that nobody from the licensing trade or members of the public had commented on the consultation.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services stated that The consultation had been open to everyone and it could only be assumed that nobody wished to comment on the document.

Resolved:    (i)       That the outcome of the public consultation be received.

(ii)      That the Statement of Licensing Policy be submitted to Council on 19^th November 2025 for adoption.

Consideration was given to a report asking Members to consider the fees to be charged in relation to Scrap Metal Dealers, Gambling and Sexual Entertainment venues.

The current and proposed fees were set out at paragraph 3.1 of the report.

Members were content to receive the report.

Resolved:    That the fees to be charged for the licensing of Scrap Metal Dealers, Gambling and Sexual Entertainment Venues for 2026-27, be agreed.

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 meetings held on 11 August, 2025 be received.

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 seeking approval for a twelve week consultation to be carried out for a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Newcastle Town Centre.

The main issues encountered within the town centre were outlined at paragraph 1.4  with e-scooters and e-bikes being a more recent issue.

Councillor Heesom stated that it was good to see the PSPO  expanding in the town centre to include e-scooters and e-bikes.

Councillor Gill Williams asked if the PSPO would include e-scooters and e-bikes that were used for collecting food deliveries from the town centre.   This was confirmed to be the case.

Councillor John Williams was concerned that such PSPO’s pushed crimes to the outskirts of the own centre.  He asked is signs would be placed around the town centre stopping all bikes or just e-bikes.  In addition, would it stop religious groups from handing out leaflets.

Members were advised that the PSPO was specifically in relation to e-scooters and e-bikes and not pedal bikes.   Regarding the leaflets, if groups/persons had received permission from the Council to hand them out, they would not be prohibited.

Councillor Sweeney asked if the ‘area; of the PSPO had changed.   It was confirmed that there had been a slight change – with Station Walks now being included.

Resolved:    That a 12 week public consultation for a renewed PSPO for

Newcastle town centre and surrounding areas, be agreed.

Consideration was given to a report outlining the proposed fees and charges for private hire and taxis prior to them being sent out for consultation.

The current and proposed fees were set out at paragraph 3 of the report and showed some fee increases and some decreases.

The Chair stated that is was a good idea too include the fee changes in monetary terms as well as percentage wise as percentages could sometimes be misleading.

Councillor Whitmore enquired why the fee for failing to attend a knowledge test had reduced rather than increased.  Members were advised that this was due to a reduction in the actual knowledge test and therefore the figures were consistent. 

Resolved:    (i)       That the proposed fees be sent out for consultation.

(ii)      That following consultation a further report be brought to

Committee.

Consideration was given to a report advising upon the results of all taxi licensing appeals that had been considered since last being reported to this committee.

There had been seven Magistrate’s Court appeals and one Crown Court appeal.  Five of the Magistrate’s Court and the Crown Court appeals had been withdrawn in advance of the Court dates.  Of the two remaining appeals one was upheld and the other was dismissed.

Resolved:    That the contents of the report be noted.

Consideration was given to a report advising on air quality in Newcastle.

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 2.10 which showed a graph  of the trends in relation to air quality and only one location was shown to be in exceedance.

Resolved:    That the Annual Status Report 2025 be received.

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 13 August and 17 September, 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

The Chair reminded Members of the training being held on Monday 20October  by James Button  and urged all members and substitutes to attend if they could.