To receive and sign the Minutes of the Regulation Committee held on 14 October 2009.

(Previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2009 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman and any maters of communication.

None.

To receive petitions in accordance with the scheme of public participation as set out in Annex 2 in Part 4 of the Constitution.

The Chairman announced that no petitions had been referred to this meeting.

To deal with general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the scheme of public participation set out in Appendix “A” referred to in Procedure Rule No. CM9.

No applications had been received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation  set out in Paragraph 1 of the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 1 to Part 4 of the Constitution.

To consider whether to pass a resolution under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the Press and Public from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that the consideration of the item is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 7 and 12 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

No applications had been received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation, set out in Paragraph 1 of the Scheme of Public Participation, Appendix 1 to Part 4 of the Constitution.

The Regulation Committee are invited to decide whether to retain separate licensing zones or establish a single taxi licensing area in order to adopt new hackney carriage byelaws for Central Bedfordshire.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Sustainable Communities, which sought a decision on whether or not Members wished to retain separate licensing zones or establish a single taxi licensing area in order to adopt new Hackney Carriage byelaws for Central Bedfordshire.

The Committee in particular noted that policies and conditions attached to former South Bedfordshire District Council licences differed to the former Mid Bedfordshire District Council, therefore it was now necessary to agree new policies and conditions for Central Bedfordshire.  During the transitional period it was necessary to zone central Bedfordshire into two areas to reflect the policies and regulations adopted by the two legacy authorities.  It was advised that the byelaws must be implemented by 1 April 2010. 

Responses to the consultation period were attached at Appendix C to the report.

RECOMMENDED

that a single taxi licensing area for the Central Bedfordshire area be approved.

RESOLVED

that, subject to the Council approving a single taxi area for Central Bedfordshire, a new set of Hackney Carriage byelaws be established.

That Committee adopt the Private Hire Operator conditions and apply them to the respective licence.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Sustainable Communities which sought a decision in relation to Private Hire Operator Conditions.

The report advised that policies attached to the former South and Mid Bedfordshire District Council licences differed and that it was now necessary to agree on new policies and conditions for Central Bedfordshire, which would have to be in place by 1 April 2010.

A copy of responses to the consultation period were attached to the report at Appendix C.  A copy of the proposed Private Hire Operator Conditions were attached at Appendix D. 

Members attention was in particular drawn to Condition 1 as set out at Appendix D to the report, which related to the location of operators officer base.  During the ensuing discussion for this item, the Committee strongly expressed the view that Applicants not already licensed who wished their office premises to be located outside of the Central Bedfordshire Council area must make representations to the Regulation Committee.

RECOMMENDED

that the Private Hire Operators Licence conditions, as now attached, be adopted to incorporate changes made by Regulation Committee as indicated in bold text.

RESOLVED

that, subject to approval of the Private Hire conditions by Full Council, the Assistant Director of Community Safety and Public Protection in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities be given delegated authority to undertake any necessary minor amendments to the conditions prior to publication.

That Committee adopt the  Private Hire Vehicle conditions and that they be applied to the respective licence.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Sustainable Communities which sought adoption of proposed Private Hire Vehicle conditions and to subsequently apply it to the Licence.

The Committee noted that it was now necessary to agree new policies and conditions for central Bedfordshire due to former South and Mid Bedfordshire District licences differing.  The new policies and conditions would have to be in place by 1 April 2010.

A copy of the proposed Private Hire Vehicle conditions were attached at Appendix D to the report.

The report detailed concerns received from the trade in response to the consultation process.

RECOMMENDED

that the Private Hire Vehicle conditions, as now attached, be adopted to incorporate changes made by the Regulation Committee as indicated in bold text.

RESOLVED

that the Assistant Director of Community Safety and Public Protection in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, be given delegated authority to undertake any necessary minor amendments to the conditions prior to publication.

That Committee adopt the Hackney Carriage conditions and apply them to the respective licence.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Sustainable Communities which sought adoption of Hackney Carriage Drivers licence conditions.

The Committee noted that it was now necessary to agree new policies and conditions for Central Bedfordshire due to former South and Mid Bedfordshire District licences differing.  The new policies and conditions would have to be in place by 1 April 2010.

A copy of the proposed Hackney Carriage Vehicle conditions were attached at Appendix D to the report.

A copy of the views of the trade in response to consultation were attached at Appendix C to the report.

RECOMMENDED

that the Hackney Carriage vehicle conditions, as now attached, be adopted to incorporate changes made by Regulation Committee as indicated in bold text.

RESOLVED

that the Assistant Director of Community Safety and Public Protection in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, be given delegated authority to undertake any necessary minor amendments to the conditions prior to publication.

That Committee adopt the Hackney Carriage /Private Hire Driver conditions and apply them to the respective licence.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Sustainable Communities which sought adoption of Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers conditions.

The Committee noted that it was necessary to agree new policies and conditions for Central Bedfordshire Council.

A copy of the draft combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers conditions were attached at Appendix D to the report.

RECOMMENDED

that the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers conditions, as now attached, be adopted to incorporate changes as made by Regulation committee as indicated in bold text.

RESOLVED

that the Assistant Director of Community Safety and Public Protection in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, be given delegated authority to undertake any necessary minor amendments to the conditions prior to publication.