Agenda

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Regulatory Services Committee Meeting that took place on 1 December 2021

Items of other business notified under Council Procedure Rule 30 to be announced,

together with the special circumstances that justify their consideration as a matter of urgency.  The Chair to rule on the admission of such items.

To receive any declarations of interest.

The existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2019 (“the Policy”) (see Appendix 1) was effective from 1 October 2019 following a review earlier that year. The Policy is required to be reviewed every three years with the next review scheduled for 2022, if required.

Notwithstanding the above and prior to the forthcoming review, if necessary, a number of immediate changes to the Policy are required which require Committee approval. The changes have come to light over the past year when using the policy, ensuring that certain areas of the Policy are tightened with greater clarification provided for those that use and read the Policy. In addition, the Government will be introducing a new tax check (new legislation in the form of the Finance Bill 2020-21) which will be come into effect from 4 April 2022. This will affect those that drive taxi’s and operate a private hire vehicle business within the District.

The changes to the Policy are set out in more detail within Section 2 of this report.

Following the Regulatory Services Committee in December, a 12 week public consultation commenced and expires on 11 March 2022.

In recent months, following a number of street trading applications, it is evident the Council requires a specific Policy to cover Street Trading and tighter internal processes which would be best achieved by implementing a new Street Trading Policy (“the Policy”).

The aim of the Policy is to create a street trading environment which ensures fair trading, protects the amenity of residents, ensures the safety of those trading, promotes diversity and consumer choice and provides applicants with advice and guidance on the Council’s approach to the administration for street trading consents and licences under Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (“the Act”).

Currently the licensing department rely on Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (“the Act”) when processing applications as no street trading policy exists. That said, the department does currently have a list of prohibited and consent streets (see Appendix II of the Policy) which were passed by Council on 10 July 2007.  These streets and the designation of streets as prohibited, consent or licence streets have not been reviewed at the current time. However, a review of the streets would be undertaken and reported within the next 18 months with amendments made thereafter.

Officers are therefore seeking member agreement in adopting the Policy following a 12 week public consultation which is due to expire on 11 March 2022.

To consider and make necessary changes to the Committee’s work programme.

If approved under Item 3 above.

If any confidential business is approved, it will also be necessary to specify the class of exempt or confidential information in the additional item(s) and a resolution to be passed in the following terms:

“that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined under Paragraphs 1 to 7 of Schedule 12A to the Act.”  It has been decided by the Council that in all circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.