Issue - meetings

A report of the Head of Regulatory Services providing an update to the Committee from the Licensing Team since March 2020.

Considered a report of the Head of Regulatory Services providing an update to the Committee regarding Licensing Team activities during the Coronavirus pandemic (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Assisting with consideration of the report: the Head of Regulatory Services and the Licensing Manager.

The Head of Regulatory Services wished to commend the Licensing Manager and the Licensing Team for all their work and support during COVID-19 pandemic.  The team had continued to operate and adapt and take on new areas of work whilst ensuing that public safety remained at the heart of its work.  Members of the Committee added their thanks.

The Licensing Manager took the Committee through the detail in the report.  She noted that some tasks had been moved quickly to be completed online and that a new streamlined process had been created by the team after the introduction of the Business and Planning Act 2020 whereby Councils were required to process applications for pavements licenses within 2 weeks.  With reference to future legislation or process changes it was noted that the new Tax Check on Hackney and Private Hire Drivers (April 2022) would affect licensing bodies who administer license applications and that the Borough Council would have to obtain confirmation from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that the check had been completed.  Further guidance was awaited.

Summary of Discussion:

·                concerns about delays in enforcement were raised.  Enforcement actions / inspections had been carried out alongside partnership agencies when the premises were open.  Complaints had also been followed up and spot checks carried out.  Recruitment for the vacant position of a part time Licensing Enforcement Officer would be considered after the Service review and update to back office systems were completed.

·                with regard to 56 vehicle suspensions where officers were not satisfied with the fitness of a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle, there were a variety of triggers for the suspensions.  A vehicle could fail its six-monthly interim test, vehicle insurance could expire, or accident damage could make the vehicle not fit to drive.  All suspensions were considered in terms of public safety.

·                the Council were involved with the National Fraud Initiative and provided details every two  years of all licensed drivers within Charnwood.  It was assumed that the new Tax check would be an extension of this scheme, but further details were awaited.

·                Officers were concentrating on clearing taxi related issues so that when public houses re-opened later in Spring the team would be ready to process the anticipated additional work.

It was requested that the data contained in this report be circulated to all Borough Councillors on a regular basis to highlight the work of the Licensing Team.

RESOLVED that the Committee notes the content of the report

Reason

To provide the Committee with an update in regard to the Licensing Team’s activities since March 2020 and the first lockdown.

Councillor Tillotson abstained from this vote as her internet connection had been patchy during the consideration of this item.