Agenda and minutes

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th May 2016.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th May 2016, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

          The Committee considered (a) a report of the Council’s Licensing Manager setting out proposals for fare increases by (i) Mr Keith Radway of Swindon Black Cabs, (ii) Mr John Stocker and Mr Andrew Lucas, and (iii) the Licensing Manager, following deferral of a report on Hackney Carriage tariffs on 4^th February, 2016 (Minute 40 205/16 refers), (b) the current scales of fees that has been in operation in Swindon  since 1^st September 2008, (c) a petition signed by Hackney Carriage Drivers in support of Mr Radway’s proposed tariff fees, (d) additional papers submitted by the Council’s Licensing officer in respect of (i) a briefing note regarding hackney carriage tariffs, (ii) the proposed hackney carriage fees proposed by officers, (iii) a summary of the tariff changes proposed, (iii) a break of the tariffs proposed, (iv) a copy of the national fares table, (e) oral submissions in respect of their proposed fees by Mr Radway, Mr Lucas and the Council’s Licensing Manager, and (f) questions to Mr Radway, Mr Lucas and the Council’s Licensing Manager regarding their proposed tariffs and responses received.

          Resolved – (1) That the draft maximum scale of fares submitted for Hackney Carriage Tariffs by the Licensing Authority be agreed and the Council’s Licensing Manager be authorised to undertake a 14 day public consultation as required by the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

          (2) That upon the conclusion of the public consultation any representations be reported to this Committee for consideration, and should no representations be received the proposed new maximum scale of fares be implemented as from 1^st August 2016.

          (3) That, further to (2) above, the Council’s Licensing Manager be requested to bring a review of the new maximum scale of fares to this Committee within six months of the commencement of the new tariffs.

          The Council’s Licensing Manager submitted a report setting out a draft Animal Welfare Charter for consideration by the Committee prior to public consultation.

          Resolved – (1) That, subject to paragraph 7.1 of the draft Animal Welfare Charter being amended to read “All applications to hold circuses, performances, exhibitions and displays of animals on any Council land or premises will be considered individually and the decision to grant or refuse such applications will be based on a wide range of considerations, including animal welfare“ the draft Charter be approved for public consultation.

          (2) That the results of the Animal Welfare Charter consultation be reported to this Committee, together with any proposed amendments to the draft Charter, for consideration.

          The Committee considered (a) a report setting out a draft Sex Establishment Policy for the Borough and (b) a copy of the draft policy tabled at the meeting.

          Resolved – (1) That the draft Sex Establishment Venues policy, as tabled at the meeting, be approved and the Council’s Licensing Manager be authorised to undertake a six week consultation exercise with a view to its adoption in accordance with Schedule 3 of the Local Government Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended by Section 27 of the Policing and Crimes Act 2009).

          (2) That the results of the consultation, together with any proposed amendments to the draft policy be submitted to this Committee for consideration.