Agenda and minutes

To receive the apologies of any Member who is unable to attend this meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Hill and R King.

To invite Councillors to declare any interests they may have in items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 11th August 2011.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 11th August 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To approve the review of the Street Trading Policy following a consultation exercise undertaken during the period 3rd September 2011 to 30th November 2011.

(Report attached)

The Committee received a report on a review of the Redditch Borough Council’s Street Trading Policy following a consultation exercise that had taken place between 3rd September and 30th November 2011.

Members agreed that Ravensbank Drive and Mount Pleasant be added to the list of Prohibited Streets in the Street Trading - Policy Statement and that any further omissions be reported to Officers.

RESOLVED that

1)         the wording of the Street Trading Policy Statement (Appendix 1), Information Pack (Appendix 2) and Street Trading Standard Conditions (Appendix 3) be approved, and that these three documents be adopted to form the Council’s Street Trading Policy;

2)         that an amendment be made to the list of Prohibited Streets to include Ravensbank Drive and Mount Pleasant following which a Public Notice be placed in a local newspaper for a period of two weeks to advertise the making of a resolution to designate Consent Streets and Prohibited Streets for the purpose of Street Trading within the district ; and

to RECOMMEND that

3)         the fees and charges as set out at Part 5 and Part 7 of the Information Pack (Appendix 2) be approved by full Council.

To consider a report on the implementation of the Service including Fees and Charges after 6 months operation.

(Report attached)

The Committee received a report on the implementation of six monthly taxi inspections, fees and enforcement that had been agreed at the meeting of the Licensing Committee on 11th August 2011.

Officers reported that of 208 tests carried out between September and December 2011, 96 vehicles had failed.  Of these 96 failures, 78 had qualified for a free re-test and 18 had been charged for a further test.

Members were informed that the actual income for the first three months of operation versus predicted income had shown a deficit of £1, 102.75.  However, Officers anticipated that the original predicted costs would be met over a full year.

Officers reported that a joint enforcement exercise had been carried out on Friday, 2nd December by Officers from Worcestershire Regulatory Services Licensing Team in partnership with Officers from the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and West Mercia Police.  Feedback from partner agencies had indicated that the event had proved useful and that similar exercises would be carried out in the future.

Members expressed concern about the number of defects identified ranging from minor to very serious ones and confirmed that there could be no compromise on public safety.

The Council would continue to work with the Redditch Taxi Forum to encourage drivers to inspect and maintain their vehicles to the highest standard.

RESOLVED that

1)         the report be noted and the current regime of two vehicle tests per year for the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle fleet be continued; and

2)         the fees agreed for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle tests and retests at the Licensing Committee meeting of the 11th August 2011 be confirmed as constituting cost recovery for the service provided.

To consider an overall review of functions carried out under the Licensing Act 2003 by the Licensing Team for 2011.

(Report attached)

The Committee received a report on the work carried out under the Licensing Act 2003 by the Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) Enforcement and Licensing Team for Redditch during 2011.

Members were informed that working practices and procedures had been developed, in partnership with responsible authorities, to ensure that licence holders comply with all relevant legislation and the licence trade in Redditch contributes to a safe and successful night time economy.

Officers reported that Central Government are looking to ‘Rebalancing the Licensing Act’ which will identify changes that may or will need to be implemented.  Officers will report to this Committee once more detailed information is available and provide training for members on the impact of the new provisions.

RESOLVED that

the annual report on the Licensing Act 2003 be noted.