Agenda and minutes

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th June 2016.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th June 2016, be confirmed and signed. 

gThe Committee considered (a) a report of the Council’s Licensing Manager concerning a petition signed by 90 Hackney Carriage Drivers requesting that the Hackney Carriage Fee structure approved by the Committee on 7^th June 2016 (Minute 9 refers) be amended as set out in Appendix C to the report, (b) the views of Mr Mark Bates (Chair, Swindon Taxi Association), Mr Tony White (Secretary, Swindon Taxi Association) and Mr Paul Hatter (Hackney Carriage Driver) in support of the revised proposed fare structure, (c) the views of Mr Keith Radway of Swindon Black Cabs opposing any amendment to the Hackney Carriage fares structure, (d) the current scales of fees approved at the Licensing Committee meeting held on 7^th June 2016, (e) examples of fees payable under the current scale of fees submitted by Mr Andy Lucas (Hackney Carriage Driver) and Mr Mark Bates (Chair, Swindon Taxi Association), and (f) questions from Councillors to Mr Bates, Mr White, Mr Hatter and Mr Radway and the Council’s Licensing Manager in respect of the proposed hackney carriage scale of fees.

          Resolved –That the revised maximum scale of fares for Hackney Carriage Tariffs as set out in Appendix C to the report of the Council’s Licensing Manager be agreed and the Council’s Licensing Manager be authorised to undertake a 14 day public consultation on the revised scale of fees as required by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

          The Council’s Licensing Officer submitted a report setting out the Council’s processes and procedures for determining the suitability of persons holding hackney carriage and private hire drivers licences in line with the best practice contained in the Local Government Association’s “Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Councillors Handbook”.

          Resolved – (1) That the officers’ assessment of the Borough Council’s taxi licensing service against the key criteria contained within the Local Government Association’s “Taxi and Private Hire licensing Councillors Handbook (2016)”, be noted.

          (2) That further to the Local Government Association’s “Taxi and Private Hire licensing Councillors Handbook (2016) an additional requirement for diversity and inclusion training be included in the mandatory training requirements for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers prior to the issue of any new licences.

          (3) That a report regarding the licensing of Limousines and other similar vehicles be submitted to the December meeting of this Committee.

          The Council’s Licensing Manager submitted a report setting the consultation results of the draft Animal Welfare Charter approved by this Committee on 7^th June 2016 (Minute 10 refers).

          Resolved – That the draft Animal Welfare Charter for Swindon be approved and recommended to Council for adoption.

          The Committee considered (a) a report of the Council’s Licensing Manager setting out a draft Cumulative Impact Policy for the Broad Green area, (b) the results of the public consultation following approval of the draft policy by the Committee in February 2016 (Minute 38, 2015/16 refers) and (c) the views of Wiltshire Police and Councillor Bob Wright (Ward Councillor) in support of the introduction of a Cumulative Impact Policy for the Broad Green area.

          Resolved – That the draft Cumulative Impact Policy for the Broad Green area, attached as an appendix to the report of the Council’s Licensing Manager be approved and recommended to the Council for adoption for inclusion within the Council’s adopted Statement of Licensing Policy.

(Report to follow)

          This item was withdrawn.