To receive any announcements from the Chariman and any matters of communication.

The Committee held a one minute silence as a mark of respect for Councillor T Green, Vice Chairman of the Committee who had suddenly and recently passed away.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Regulation Committee held on 16 February 2011 as a true and correct record.

(attached)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations and the nature in relation to:

(a)               personal interests in any agenda item

(b)     personal and prejudicial interests in any agenda item

To receive petitions in accordance with the scheme of public participation set out in Annex 2 in part A4 of the Constitution.

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

To receive any questions, statements or deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Procedure as set out in Appendix 1 to part A4 of the Constitution.

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 A4 of the Constitution.

A copy of the statement of policy about relevant convictions is attached to assisit Members in relation to items 9 and 10.

The Committee noted the Statement of Policy about relevant convictions as attached to the agenda.

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.

RESOLVED

The Committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972  on the grounds that the consideration of the items of business would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A the Act.

To make a decision whether or not to grant a private hire vehicle licence to Mr S Ahmed of D & R Taxis in view of the age of the vehicle.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing and Enforcement Officer concerning an application for a private hire vehicle licence in respect of Mr S Ahmed of D & R Taxis in view of the age of the vehicle.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members’ information.

The applicant attended the meeting and made representations in support of the application.  The Committee were invited to view the vehicle, which was located in the car park.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant, Team Leader Public Protection and Licensing Officers were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  The Committee’s deliberation and visual inspection of the vehicle along with the service history and its appearance aided the decision process.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

that the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Licence for D& R Taxis be refused in this case under Section 48 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions )Act 1976, as the Committee does not consider the vehicle to be of an acceptable standard due to defects on the number plate, chip indentations on the bonnet and a chip on the grill.

The Applicant would be informed in writing of his right to appeal against the decision to the Magistrates’ Court and that the appeal must be made in 21 days of written notification of this decision.

To make a decision whether or not to grant a private hire (Special Events) vehicle licence to Ms B J W of C B limos in view of the age of the vehicle.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing and Enforcement Officer concerning and application for a Private Hire Special Events) vehicle licence for Ms B J W of C B Limos in view of the age of the vehicle.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members’ information.

The applicant attended the meeting and made representations in support of the application.  The Committee were invited to view the vehicle, which was located in the car park.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant, Team leader Public Protection and Licensing Officers were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  The Committee’s deliberation and visual inspection of the vehicle along with the service history and its appearance aided the decision process.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

that the application for a Private Hire (Special Events)Vehicle licence to Ms B J W of CB Limos be granted subject to (1) the Applicant being reminded of the responsibilities to comply with the conditions of the Licence and that the Council has the powers under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976  to revoke the licence at any time (2) that the application be granted subject to (1) above and receipt of a UK individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) Certificate or A European Whole Vehicle Approval Certificate and Limousine Declaration of Condition of Use.

To consider whether to pass a resolution to re-admit members of the press and public on the grounds that consideration of the remaining items of business are not likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined by Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED

That the Press and Public be re-admitted to the remainder of the meeting.

To adopt a policy to assist in the regulation of street trading.

The Committee received and considered the report which sought adoption of the Central Bedfordshire Council Street Trading policy.  The Committee were advised that adoption of schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 would enable the Council to control the numbers and quality of street traders in the area.  The Provisions of Schedule 4 of the Policy had been adopted by Full Council on 24 February 2011.

The Council had published a notice of the resolution to adopt the provisions of Schedule 4 in the Bedfordshire Times and Citizen newspaper on 3 March 2011 and again on 10 March 2011 as required by legislation.

RESOLVED

That the Central Bedfordshire Council Street Trading policy be adopted subject to the inclusion of the relevant Parish Councils’ in Paragraph 5.5 and deletion of the word ‘rise’ and addition of the word ‘change’ in Paragraph 7.3 of the Policy

To adopt the relevant provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 for the Licensing of sex establishments has been passed by the Council on 24 February 2011.  The policy will be adopted to provide guidance and support to the provisions

The Committee received and considered a report seeking adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy for sex Establishments.

The Committee were advised that adoption of Schedule 3 of the local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions)Act 1982 and Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 would enable the Council to control the licensing of sex establishments.

A consultation period for the policy on sex Establishments ran between 18 October 2010 and 9 January 2011.

RESOLVED

that the Statement of Licensing Policy for Sex Establishments be adopted