Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Priory House, Monks Walk, Shefford
Contact: Helen Bell 0300 300 4040
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Minutes Minutes:
RESOLVED
that the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 2 September 2015 and extraordinary meeting held on 5 November 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.
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Members Interests Minutes:
No declarations of interests were declared.
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Chairman's announcements Minutes:
No announcements were made.
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Petitions Minutes:
No petitions were received.
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Questions, Statements and Deputations Minutes:
No questions, statements or deputations were received.
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Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policies and Conditions PDF 67 KB To review Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policies and Conditions.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking adoption of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy. A copy of which was attached at Appendix C to the report now submitted.
The Committee were invited to consider a new hackney carriage and private hire policy. A consultation process had been undertaken, comments of which were set out at Appendix B to the report now submitted.
The Committee discussed the proposed policy in detail and made various comments that would be incorporated into the final version. In particular, the Committee discussed the importance of drivers ensuring that their photographic signage is visible at all times. It was agreed that Officers would encourage drivers to wear one badge and display the other in the licensed vehicle. It was agreed that further consultation with the trade would need to be carried out before this condition could be attached to a driver licence.
Councillor Collins left the room prior to the conclusion of this item.
RESOLVED
that the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy as set out at Appendix C to the report now submitted be adopted. (attached at Appendix A)
RECOMMENDED to Council
that the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy be adopted
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Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Conditions PDF 62 KB To consider the hackney carriage and private
hire driver conditions following consultation with the trade, the
public and other interested parties. Additional documents: Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking adoption of Hackney Carriage and private Hire Driver conditions. A copy of the conditions were attached to the report now submitted.
The Committee discussed in detail the conditions and suggested some minor amendments.
RESOLVED
That the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver conditions as set out at Appendix C to the report now submitted be approved.
Recommended to Council
that the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers conditions be adopted.
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Review of Criminal Conviction Policy PDF 62 KB To consider the Council's Criminal Conviction
Policy following consultation with the trade, the public and other
interested parties. Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking adoption of the Criminal Conviction Policy with regard to Hackney carriage and Private Hire matters. Members were concerned about the wording relating to sexual and indecency offences and suggested that the paragraph be re worded.
RESOLVED
that the Criminal Conviction Policy relating to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire matters be adopted subject to the word ‘other’ being inserted before ‘sexual offences’ at Paragraph B under the heading of Sexual and indecency offences. (as attached at Appendix B)
RECOMMENDED to Council
that the Criminal Conviction Policy relating to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire matters be adopted.
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Review of Code of Good Conduct for Licensed Drivers PDF 61 KB To consider the adoption of a Code of Good
Conduct for licensed drivers following consultation with the trade,
the public and other licensed parties. Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking adoption of a Code of Good Conduct for licensed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers. A copy of the proposed code of Conduct as attached to the report at Appendix C.
RESOLVED
That a Code of Good Conduct for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers be approved subject to the word ‘good’ being removed from the title. (as attached at Appendix C)
RECOMMENDED to Council
That a code of Conduct for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers be adopted.
Note: Councillor Collins returned to the meeting prior to the consideration of this item.
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Review of Hackney Carriage Byelaws PDF 61 KB To consider the Hackney Carriage Byelaws
following consultation with the trade, the public and other
interested parties. Additional documents: Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking approval and adoption of Hackney Carriage Byelaws. A copy of which was attached at Appendix C to the report.
RESOLVED
that the Hackney Carriage Byelaws be approved.
RECOMMENDED to Council
that the Hackney Carriage Byelaws be adopted.
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Review of Hackney Carriage Conditions PDF 61 KB To consider adopting hackney carriage
conditions following consultation with the trade, the public and
other interested parties. Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking adoption of proposed Hackney Carriage conditions. A copy of which was attached at Appendix C to the report now submitted.
Members felt that the policy should refer to the Council’s exceptional condition criteria.
Members felt that the Council should only allow glass type approved windows, to exclude the use of any after market darkening treatments in licensed vehicles providing they complied with the minimum legal standards.
Members felt that the minimum tread depth on tyres should not be increased to 3mm from the standard 1.6mm.
RESOLVED
that the Hackney Carriage Conditions be approved subject to:
(1) the deletion of the words ‘No dark privacy tinted windows will be accepted’ to be replaced by ‘only glass type approved windows excluding the use of any after darkening treatments will be accepted’;
(2) the removal of the proposed tyre depth from 1.6mm to 3mm tread depth’ and;
(3) the inclusion of the words ‘or comply with the Council’s exceptional condition criteria’ following the words ‘All new hackney carriages must be under 5 years of age from the date of first registration when new. (as attached at Appendix E)
RECOMMENDED to Council
that the Hackney Carriage conditions be adopted.
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Review of Private Hire Vehicle Conditions PDF 62 KB To consider the private hire vehicle
conditions following consultation with the trade, the public and
other interested parties. Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking adoption of Private Hire Vehicle conditions. A copy of which was attached at Appendix C to the report now submitted.
Members suggested that the Council’s exceptional condition criteria should be referred to in the Private Hire vehicle conditions.
Following a detailed discussion, Members expressed the view that tinted windows and that only glass type approved windows should be accepted in licensed vehicles to exclude the use of any after market darkening treatment providing that they comply with the minimum legal standards.
Members felt that the minimum tread depth on tyres should not be increased to 3mm from the standard legal depth of 1.6mm.
RESOLVED
that the proposed Private Hire Vehicle Conditions be approved subject to: (1) the deletion of the words ‘No dark privacy tinted windows will be accepted’ and replaced with only glass type approved windows, to exclude the use of any after market darkening treatments will be accepted’;
(2) the removal of the proposed tyre depth from 1.6mm to 3mm tread depth’ and;
(3) the inclusion of the words ‘or comply with the Council’s exceptional condition criteria’ following the words ‘All new hackney carriages must be under 5 years of age from the date of first registration when new. (as attached at Appendix F)
RECOMMENDED to Council
that the proposed Private Hire Vehicle Conditions be approved.
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Review of Private Hire (Special Event) Vehicle Conditions PDF 62 KB To consider the private hire vehicle (special
event) conditions following consultation with the trade, the public
and other interested parties. Additional documents: Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking approval and adoption of Private Hire (Special Event) vehicle Conditions. A copy of which was attached to the report now submitted.
RESOLVED
that the Private Hire (Special Event) Vehicle conditions be adopted.
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Review of the conditions attached to Private Hire Operator Licences PDF 62 KB To consider the conditions attached to Private
Hire Operator Licences following consultation with the trade, the
public and other interested parties. Additional documents: Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking approval of Private Hire Operator Conditions. A copy of which was attached at Appendix C to the report.
RESOLVED
that the Private Hire Operator Licence Conditions be approved.
RECOMMENDED to Council
that the Private Hire Operator Licence Conditions be adopted.
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Review of National Inspection Standards for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles. PDF 62 KB To consider adopting National Inspection
Standards with regards to the testing of hackney carriage and
private hire vehicles. Additional documents: Minutes:
The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Community Services seeking approval of National Inspection Standards for Hackney Carriage and Private hire Vehicles.
RESOLVED
that the National Inspection Standards for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles be approved
RECOMMENDED to Council
That the National Standards for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles be adopted.
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