Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
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Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

7.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Members to declare any interests as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

 

Minutes:

7.1      There were no declarations of interests.

8.

BLR/21/3 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 JUNE 2021 pdf icon PDF 124 KB

Minutes:

It was RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2021 be confirmed and signed as a true record.

Recorded Vote
TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2021 be confirmed as a true record Ad-Hoc Carried
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  • 9.

    TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME

    Minutes:

    9.1      None received.

    10.

    QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS

    Minutes:

    10.1    None received.

    11.

    BLR/21/4 NEW HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE LICENSING POLICY pdf icon PDF 219 KB

    Report from the Licensing Team attached.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    11.1    Katherine Green, Licensing Officer presented Paper BLR/21/4 to the Committee. The report referred to the review of the current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy for the controlled zone of Babergh District Council.

     

    11.2    Officers had undertaken a root and branch review of the current Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Policy in accordance with the new Statutory Standards for Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles. Having reviewed the current policy, officers were proposing a new Policy for consultation, as set out in Appendix A.

     

    11.3    Members commented that it would be helpful to receive hard copies of large documents as it was difficult to read them on the screen.

     

    11.4    The Chairman advised Members that she would go through the Policy document section by section to ask if there were any questions.

     

    11.5    The Licensing Officers responded to Members’ questions including: tax checks, driver’s dress code, wheelchair accessible vehicles and vehicles accessible for customers with other mobility needs, child seats, insurance checks, consultation with bordering authorities and the Town Council.

     

    11.6    It was noted that any typographical errors and amendments to wording would be picked up during the consultation process and corrected as necessary.

     

    11.7    During the discussion, Members commented regarding the amount of disabled and taxi spaces available in Sudbury. Councillor Beer commented that all parking in Sudbury needs reviewing.

     

    11.8    The Licensing Officer responded that she was aware that Suffolk County Highways are currently undertaking a review of parking and infrastructure in Sudbury. Also, a new taxi rank for Sudbury had been designated but could not proceed until the SCC review had been completed.

     

    11.9    Councillor Beer proposed that the recommendation contained in Paper BLR/21/4 be approved. Councillor Dawson seconded the proposal.

     

    It was RESOLVED:

     

    That the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Policy document attached as Appendix A be approved for consultation.  Further, that the relevant officers proceed with a 28-day consultation period with the licensed trade, general public and other relevant stakeholders.    

     

     

     

    Recorded Vote
    TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
    To approve the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Policy document and to agree that the relevant officers proceed with a 28 day consulation period with all relevant stakeholders Ad-Hoc Carried
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  • 12.

    BLR/21/5 GAMBLING ACT 2005 - STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES STATUTORY THREE-YEARLY REVISION pdf icon PDF 224 KB

    Report from the Licensing Team attached.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    12.1    Katherine Green, Licensing Officer presented Paper BLR/21/5 to the Committee. The report referred to policy setting under the Gambling Act 2005. Since January 2007, local licensing authorities have been responsible for functions under the Gambling Act 2005, including issuing of licences and permits for gambling/gaming premises and associated matters.

     

    12.2    Section 349 of the Act requires each licensing authority to prepare and publish a statement of the higher-level principles it will apply when dispensing its various gambling functions. The ‘Statement of Principles’ must by law be reviewed and republished every three years or sooner if required. The report recommended approval of the draft document attached as Appendix A for consultation.

     

    12.3    Members noted that recommendation 3.1 had been amended to include the additional words ‘for consultation’.

     

    12.4    The Licensing Officers and Legal Advisor responded to Members’ questions on the report.

     

    12.5    Councillor Nunn proposed that the recommendations contained in Paper BLR/21/5 be approved. Councillor Beer seconded the proposal.

     

    It was RESOLVED:

     

    1.     That the draft revision Gambling Act 2005 ‘Statement of Principles’ document, attached as Appendix A be approved for consultation. Further, that the relevant officers proceed with the commencement of a period of statutory consultation in accordance with Gambling Act 2005 legislation and regulations.

    2.     That the table of fees attached as Appendix C for Gambling Act 2005 functions be adopted to take effect from 31 January 2022.

     

     

     

    Recorded Vote
    TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
    To agree to recommendations 3.1 (including amendment stated by the Licensing Officer) and 3.2 as detailed in report BLR/21/5 Ad-Hoc Carried
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  • 13.

    BLR/21/6 HACKNEY CARRIAGE TABLE OF FARES REVIEW pdf icon PDF 233 KB

    Report from the Licensing Team attached.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    13.1    Emma Richbell, Assistant Manager – Food, Safety and Licensing presented Paper BLR/21/6 to the Committee. The report advised the Committee of the response to the public consultation for the revised table of fares fixed for Hackney Carriages operating in the controlled zone of the Babergh District, which the Committee had approved for public consultation at its meeting on 11 June 2021.

     

    13.2    Officers had undertaken the statutory public consultation exercise as instructed by the Committee at the meeting on 11 June 2021.

     

    13.3    It was noted that one response had been received from the trade (Appendix C) and that Mr Hale was present at the meeting to answer any questions from Members if required.

     

    13.4    A comparison table of journeys and rates was tabled at the meeting.

     

    13.5    The Assistant Manager and Mr Hale responded to Members’ questions. During the discussion, Mr Hale confirmed that drivers were happy with the proposed increases.

     

    13.6    Councillor Beer proposed that the recommendations contained in Paper BLR/21/6 be approved. Councillor Maybury seconded the proposal.

     

    It was RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

     

    That, following consideration of Options 1 and 2 as detailed in the report, Option 1 be recommended to Cabinet on the revised table of fares attached as Appendix A:

    (i)             That the revised table of fares be adopted, whether the Committee is minded to modify the table or not; and

    (ii)           That the proposed table of fares is adopted in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, and;

    (iii)         To recommend a new date which is to be set for the varied table of fares to become effective no later than two months after the specified date of 1 November 2021.

     

     

    Recorded Vote
    TitleTypeRecorded Vote textResult
    That the committee, following consideration of options 1 and 2, recommend Option 1 to Cabinet and that recommendation 3.2 (i), (ii) and (iii) as read out be approved. Ad-Hoc Carried
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