To sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Licensing Committee on 7 February 2018.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 7 February 2018 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no announcements or communications from the Chairman.

No interests were declared.

To receive any questions, statements or deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Part 4G of the Constitution.

No questions, statements or deputations from members of the public were

received.

To review the current Gambling Act Policy as required by legislation.

The Service Manager for Public Protection presented the report on the Review of the Gambling Act Policy.

Points and comments included:

·         The Council were legally obliged to review their policy every three years and update where necessary, in this case by January 2019.

·         The policy could be reviewed again if this is considered necessary, at any time.

·         The consultation had now closed and the Gambling Commission had advised that Central Bedfordshire was a low risk area.

·         Some typographical errors were identified and would be amended prior to the policy being considered at Council on 15 November 2018 and then published on 31 December 2018 for adoption from 31 January 2019.

·         Concerns were raised regarding slot machines and online gambling and whilst this was outside the scope of the policy, the Committee agreed to respond to consultation when addressed on a national scale.

RESOLVED

that the Committee approve the changes to the current Gambling Act Policy.

RECOMMENDED to Council

that the revised Gambling Act Policy, as set out in Appendix A to the Licensing Committee minutes, be adopted.

To consider the combined hackney carriage and private hire driver and private hire operator conditions following consultation with the trade.

The Service Manager for Public Protection presented the report on the Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver and Private Hire Operator Conditions.

Points and comments included:

·         This was a national initiative and was part of the Bedfordshire Strategy to tackle child sexual exploitation following a number of high profile cases around the country.

·         Currently Central Bedfordshire Council were working with Bedford Borough Council and Luton Council to implement attendance at Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) awareness training to enable drivers to identify risks as well as enabling safeguarding.

·         The training would be at nominal cost and would be reviewed should that cost increase.

·         It was noted that the training would be mandatory and be included as a requirement as part of the driver conditions.

·         Although no timeline had been provided for the training to be completed, it was noted that it would be practicable for training to take place within a 12 month deadline and this requirement would be included in the driver conditions.  An additional recommendation would refer.

·         It was noted that a number of private hire drivers were used by the Council as part of Home to School Transport and this training would be particularly important for them.

·         The Committee agreed to review this item and include it in a future agenda.

RESOLVED that

1.         all new drivers and all new private hire operators attend Child Sexual Exploitation awareness (CSE) training in advance of the first being licensed as a combined hackney carriage/private hire operator;

2.         all existing combined hackney carriage/private hire drivers and private hire operators be required to attend the CSE training;

3.         the cost of the CSE training become the responsibility of the applicant;

4.         driver applicants living outside the Central Bedfordshire Council area who require additional checks in order to assess their applications incur an additional fee; and

5.         all existing drivers complete the CSE training at the earliest opportunity and in any case no later than 12 months from adoption of these conditions.

RECOMMENDED to Council

that the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver and Private Hire Operator conditions, as set out in Appendix B to the Licensing Committee minutes, be adopted including the addition of recommendation 5 above.

To review the current Street Trading Policy.

The Service Manager for Public Protection presented the report on the Review of the Street Trading Policy.

Points and comments included:

·         The current policy had been in use for some years and this was an opportunity to review and update it.

·         Consent would be required to trade from public land such as a car parks or side of the road.

·         Concerns were raised that a stall could set up anywhere and it was noted that although there were no designated streets listed as prohibited for street trading, police and highways would always be consulted if an application was received for consent to trade.

·         It was noted that if there were any issues arising from a street trader such as odour problems if selling cooked food, this would be dealt with by Environmental Health in the usual way.

RESOLVED

that the Committee approve changes to the current Street Trading Policy.

RECOMMENDED to Council

to adopt the revised Street Trading Policy, as set out at Appendix C to the Licensing Committee minutes.