Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Duckett, Councillor K Franks attended as Councillor Duckett’s substitute.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 3 June 2019.

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2019.

RESOLVED:

To approve the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 3 June 2019.

A copy of the Register of Interest for each Selby District Councillor is available for inspection at www.selby.gov.uk.

Councillors should declare to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest in any item of business on this agenda which is not already entered in their Register of Interests. Councillors should leave the meeting and take no further part in the consideration, discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Councillors should also declare any other interests. Having made the declaration, provided the other interest is not a disclosable pecuniary interest, the Councillor may stay in the meeting, speak and vote on that item of business.

If in doubt, Councillors are advised to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To confirm the procedure to be followed at the meeting, including the Council’s Taxi Licensing Policy.

The Committee noted the Licensing Committee procedure and the Council’s Taxi Licensing Policy.

The Licensing Manager updated the Committee on the proposed Taxi Licensing Policy 2019 which had gone to the Council’s Executive meeting on the 1 August 2019.  It was confirmed that the Executive had taken the decision to defer the item so that further discussions could take place with Legal Services.  The Licensing Manager assured the Committee that they would be kept fully informed of any changes.

The Chair gave his address to the Committee.

Members noted that a multi-agency enforcement evening between Licensing, Enforcement, the Security Industry Authority (SIA), and the Police had taken place in Selby Town on Friday 2 August 2019.  The operation had focused on checking licensed premises and taxi’s on the rank at James Street; with feedback from the night being positive.

Members acknowledged that one verbal warning have been given by officers in June 2019; this had been given in response to a driver receiving points on their licence, which had not been declared to the Licensing Department within the given time frame.

That, in accordance with Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, the meeting be not open to the Press and public during discussion of the following items as there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act.

It was proposed, and seconded, that the Committee sit in private session due to the nature of the business to be transacted.

RESOLVED:

That, in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted the meeting be not open to the press and public during discussion of the following items as there will be disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12(A) of the Act.

To receive the report, which asks the Committee to note the content of the report regarding an “Enforcement Evening”.

The Licensing Manager presented the report, which asked the Committee to note the information regarding an “Enforcement Evening” which had taken place on 28 June 2019, and involved the examination of 14 hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.

The Committee was informed that the objective of the evening was to ensure that taxi drivers of both types of vehicle were complying with the conditions attached to their respective licenses; and ensuring that the vehicles were maintained in a roadworthy condition, as per Selby Council’s taxi licensing policy.

The Committee noted that of the 14 vehicles checked, nine had no faults, four vehicles received advisory notices and one vehicle received a prohibition notice; this vehicle was repaired the following day and the prohibition removed.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

Reason for decision:

The Committee were pleased to note that the operation had been successful in proving that Selby District Council’s licensing regime was robust.  

To receive the report, which asks the Committee to consider an application for a Discreet Plate licence.

The Licensing Manager presented the report, which asked the Committee to consider an application for a discreet plate Private Hire Vehicle Licence.

The Committee was informed that the applicant had established a private hire business which specialised in providing executive transport for businesses for their visitors, senior staff members and to business meetings. The application was supported by letters from five customers.  The applicant was present at the meeting and the Committee asked questions of the driver in relation to the application.

The applicant and the Licensing Manager left the meeting whilst the Committee considered the application.

The Committee were satisfied with the application and noted that the applicant already had one vehicle with a discreet plate and would be enhancing his business with the new vehicle.

RESOLVED:

To grant the application for a discreet plate Private Hire Vehicle Licence.

Reason for decision:

The Committee were satisfied to grant theapplication for a discreet licence as they felt the applicant was progressing and enhancing his business.