Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ken Ellcome, Margaret Foster, Eleanor Scott, Aiden Gray and Hugh Mason.

There were no declarations.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2013 are attached.

RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Policy Committee held on 23 October 2013 be agreed and signed by the chair as a correct record.

Councillor Frank Jonas reported that he had been omitted from the attendance list.

RESOLVED that subject to Councillor Frank Jonas being added to the attendance list, the minutes of the Licensing Policy Committee held on 23 October 2013 were agreed as a correct record, and signed by the chair.

Purpose

The purpose of this report is for the committee to consider a review of the non-statutory fees charged for licences/registrations which are administered by the Licensing Committee.

RECOMMENDED:-

a)    That the Licensing Committee note the contents of this report, consider the proposed options and determine the level fee to be adopted;

b)    That the approved fees be implemented with immediate effect; and

c)    That the Head of Health, Safety and Licensing be given authority to advertise, (where appropriate) such fees and charges that are subject to any formal public statutory consultation.

A report by the Licensing Manager is attached.

The Licensing Manager introduced the report and explained that it had always been the aim of the committee to work towards total cost recovery. The Licensing Committee had resolved (on 5 November 2008) that the fees were to be reviewed on an annual basis, to take into account inflationary and other increased costs. Due to increasing budgetary pressures the administration have made a clear commitment to ensuring that the licensing service achieves total cost recovery and no longer carries a deficit which has to be met by the Council tax payer.

To achieve this, a thorough analysis had been undertaken of the costs of every aspect of the licensing functions and what increases would be necessary to meet total cost recovery.

Members' questions

Members sought clarification on when the trade representatives were consulted. 

Members' comments

Members were concerned that the trade had not been given the opportunity to come up with alternative options and that a four day notice was not 'consultation'.

The Licensing Manager explained the consultation process to members and reported that she had met with the trade representatives at the first available opportunity after the final figures had been completed by finance.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee agreed to postpone making a decision so as to allow the Licensing Manager toprepare and submit a financial briefing for members in relation to income and expenditure for the licensing budget and also to consult fully with the trade representatives. The Committee will meet again in December to consider the matter.

Deputations were due to be heard from Mr Viv Young (Hackney Carriage Trade Representative), Carolyn Holmes (Hackney Carriage Proprietor), Bruce Hall (General Manager, Aqua Cars Limited) and Perry McMillan (Unite Union) but as members had agreed to postpone making a decision they did not speak,