Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carragher, Lloyd-Johnson, Spencer, and Anne Thompson.

Members are requested at a meeting where a disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest arises, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests, todeclare any interests that relate to an item on the agenda.

Where a Member discloses a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, he/she must withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest, except where he/she is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of a dispensation.

Where a Member discloses a personal interest he/she must seek advice from the Monitoring Officer or staff member representing the Monitoring Officer to determine whether the Member should withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest or whether the Member can remain in the meeting or remain in the meeting and vote on the relevant decision.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2024

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November be confirmed as a correct record.

A petition from Joseph Johnson, H&PH Trade Representative has been submitted containing 25 signatures. The petition states:

“We the undersigned agree that the lead petitioner will address the L&R Committee on our behalf at the meeting on Monday 11th March 2024 to discuss and agree the proposed new driver convictions policy. The Hackney and Private Hire Trade disagree on two points, both clearly noted at “Consultation  5.1” of the principal officer report. The petitioner will request on behalf of the Hackney and Private Hire trade that members amend the driver convictions policy in relation to  the disqualification period for the use of a handheld device and revise the wording to cover testing of blood samples taken by Police following a roadside stop that results in no further action”.

A petition from Frank West, H&PH Trade Representative has been submitted containing 25 signatures. The petition states:

“We the undersigned agree that the lead petitioner will address the L&R Committee on our behalf at the meeting on Monday 11th March 2024 to discuss and agree the proposed new driver convictions policy. The Hackney and Private Hire Trade disagree on two points, both clearly noted at “Consultation  5.1” of the principal officer report. The petitioner will request on behalf of the Hackney and Private Hire trade that members amend the driver convictions policy in relation to  the disqualification period for the use of a handheld device and revise the wording to cover testing of blood samples taken by Police following a roadside stop that results in no further action”.

The Lead Petitioners will be allowed to address the Licensing and Regulatory Committee on the content of the petition for a period of 5 minutes each.

The Committee considered two petitions which had been received by the Council from Joseph Johnson, H&PH Trade Representative and Frank West, H&PH Trade Representative.

The petitions stated that the Hackney and Private Hire Trade disagreed on two points within the Policy, both clearly noted at “Consultation 5.1” of the principal officer report. The petitioner requested on behalf of the Hackney and Private Hire trade that Members amend the driver convictions policy in relation to the disqualification period for the use of a handheld device and revised the wording to cover testing of blood samples taken by Police following a roadside stop that resulted in no further action.

The Committee asked if there had been any objections in neighbouring authorities to the Revised Licensed Driver Convictions Policy and discussed the national standard of the policy.

Joseph Johnson and Frank West were in attendance to present the petitions.

RESOLVED:

That the petitions be noted.

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) which requested Members approval to the suggested changes to the driver convictions policy in line with national statutory standards.

The Committee discussed the convictions policy with regard to violent offences and the use of a mobile phone while in control of a vehicle.

It was moved by Councillor Waterfield, seconded by Councillor Kelly that:

The proposed changes to the Council’s current convictions policy be agreed.

Following a show of hands, the Chair declared the motion was carried by 10 votes to 1 and it was:

RESOLVED:

That the proposed changes to the Council’s current convictions policy be agreed.

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) which sought the approval of Members for the fees and charges for Local Licensing Services in 2024/2025.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed fees and charges for 2024/2025 as listed in the Annex be endorsed and approved.

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) which provided information concerning dog control and an overview of the public consultation on the proposed extension of the existing Public Spaces Protection Order Dog Control 2021 for a further three years.

The Committee emphasised the need for relevant education and discussed the consultation process, the use of pitches, enforcement resources and CCTV. The Committee requested a report detailing a breakdown of the locations that fixed penalty notices for Dog Control have been issued.

RESOLVED:

That the Council be recommended to give approval for the extension of the Public Spaces Protection Order Dog Control 2021 for a further three years.