Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27th February 2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Councillor Hunt declared a personal interest as the Secretary of Loughborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce, following reference to the organisation during discussion under Item 5 on the agenda.

No questions were submitted.

No questions had been submitted.

Report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

A report of the Head of Regulatory Services was submitted to consider the Council’s draft Statement of Principles made under the Gambling Act 2005, for consultation prior to submission to Council for approval (item 5 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

In summary, the Committee discussed:

(i)        The population increase stated in paragraph 1.2 of the Statement was 177,000* (up from 176,000).

(ii)                    The Operator Licence required was a matter for the Gambling Commission to decide, the Council was responsible for the Premise Licence.

(iii)                   With reference to paragraph 1.9 of the Statement, there had not been any incidents of gambling enforcement in the Borough.  Inspections of gambling premises were undertaken by Council staff each year, this year a few premises had required a re-visit, but all had ultimately been compliant.  No unlicensed premises had been discovered.

(iv)      Regarding local risk assessments, larger operators usually had a template for the purpose which could be adapted for the locality concerned.  The Council would expect the assessment to suit the local position and the local area profile assisted that.  The Council did not provide a template and would not wish to do so, but the Gambling Commission might have one available.  The Licensing Manager would include a link to that in the Statement, if available.

(v)                    There was brief discussion regarding “one-off” gambling events, for example gambling that was included in the price of the entry ticket for a Christmas function.  To date, such events of which the Council had been notified had not fallen under the requirements of the premise licence.

(vi)      With reference to paragraph 3.7 of the Statement, the Council’s approach in respect of betting/gaming machines was briefly outlined, in particular the requirements for premise staff to be able to monitor those.

(vii)     With reference to paragraph 3.8 of the Statement, there was not a track in Charnwood, but some premises might have that facility available, so the Statement needed to cover that.

(viii)    The Licensing Manager noted a typographical error on page 21 of the report, which she would correct.  Also, on page 28, that Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce was now East Midlands Chamber, and that Loughborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce should also be listed.

(ix)      LRSB was Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Board, with which the Council would consult on any applications that indicated there may be concerns over access for children or vulnerable persons (as customers), further explanation of which was given, including that anyone could report such concerns.  The Licensing Manager would check that the web address stated was correct and would inform members of the Committee if that was different.

*Note: Since the meeting, the Licensing Manager has stated the correct figure as 176,700.

Councillor Sutherington arrived at the meeting at 5.20pm.

RESOLVED

1.            That, subject to the amendments set out in (iv), (viii) and (ix) above, the draft Statement of Principles made under the Gambling Act 2005, set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

A report of the Head of Regulatory Services was submitted to consider a proposal to review the taxi testing garages set out in Schedule 2 of the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

In summary, the Committee discussed:

(i)           Any of the Council’s nominated garages could be used for the required test.

(ii)          There was brief discussion regarding age of vehicle, that another authority had become stricter in that respect, and that this Council’s policy was that a vehicle must be less than 6 years when first licensed, but could remain licensed with no age restriction for as long as it passed compliance tests.  Older vehicles could be exceptionally well maintained.

(iii)      A typographical error in paragraph 1 of Part B of the report was noted, the address of ARK Motors being Cossington Road (rather than Crossington);

(iv)      Reference was made to a recent inspection exercise and the valuable outcome of that.

(v)       In response to a question, further explanation was provided of the difference between an MOT test and the Certificate of Compliance test.  This was also set out in paragraph 7 of Part B of the report.

(vi)      Exemptions from taxi licensing included wedding and funeral cars.  Certain stretch limousines did require licensing, but there were currently none of those in the Borough.

(vii)     Cross-border hiring was referred to.  The Council had no control over the safety of taxis licensed by other authorities.  That was of concern if the authority concerned was not as stringent as Charnwood.  Any complaints received would be passed on to the licensing authority concerned, but feedback was not received from those authorities.   Customers could check the plate on the rear of the taxi to find out the licensing authority.

(viii)    Risk 1 stated on page 2 of the report referred to the level of risk should the action recommended in the report not be taken.

(ix)      The safety of the public was the priority when considering all matters relating to taxi licensing.  

RESOLVED that, following the procurement exercise set out in the report of the Head of Regulatory Services, Schedule 2 of the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy be amended.

Reason

To ensure that suitable and sufficient testing facilities are available within the Borough for vehicles to be checked in line with the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.