Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stephen Cox and Andrew Scarth.

To confirm, as a correct record, the minutes of the Regulatory Services Committee, held on 10 June 2026, and for them to be signed by the Chair.

The minutes of the Regulatory Services Committee held on 10 June 2026 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair of the meeting.

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.

The Chair announced that he had accepted a notice of other business relating to a report concerning a decision of a special Regulatory Services Committee Sub-Committee meeting, held on 23 September 2026.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillors Harry Davies, Narinder Sian and Debbie Morris declared a non-pecuniary interest, stating that they there were members of the special Regulatory Services Sub-Committee that met on 23 September 2026.

Recommendation

It is recommended that members of the committee agree to Option 1:

a)     To commence a 6-week public consultation on the proposed Policy, including any amendments proposed by members.

b)     Following the expiry of the public consultation that details of the consultation responses and any amendments to the Policy following the consultation will be presented to a future Regulatory Services Committee for agreement; or

c)     In the event there are no amendments or responses from the public consultation which materially impact the Policy as consulted on, that the Head of Regulatory Services in conjunction with the Chair of the Regulatory Services Committee makes minor changes to the Policy, if required, and then for the revised Policy to be formally adopted by a future Full Council.

-        Members to offer comments on future pavement licence fees, effective April 2027.

That public access to the report be immediate.

That public access to the decision be immediate.

The Development Management Team Leader introduced the report.

Members expressed their support for the policy and emphasised their pro-business approach. They proposed the lowest possible fee and asked officers to review which application requirements were legally essential, including maps and furniture details, and relax them where possible.

Officers explained that legislation permits fees of up to £500 for new applications and £350 for renewals, while allowing local standards. Fees should generally recover costs, therefore, £50 may be too low. Officers explained that some businesses had to obtain new licences despite existing Highways Act consent, and officers had taken a light approach where it was appropriate. Officers advised that charges elsewhere in the county vary, although most are similar to Three Rivers’s. Officers also explained that high fees deter applications and undermine regulation. Officers are likely to only take enforcement action in limited cases involving accessibility concerns. Officers advised that the fees are based on cost recovery, and about £250 for a new licence seemed reasonable, with little cost difference for renewals. They reminded Members that the Policy & Resources Committee set the fee.

In response to a question about the bullet points in the document, officers said the required documents reflect government guidance and are not too onerous. Applications must show sufficient space, including room for two wheelchairs to pass, and state when tables and chairs will be used.

Members asked about a compromise on the application fee. Officers said the relevant committee would need to decide, informed by this discussion and a review prompted by a complaint, before fees take effect in April 2027. Members stressed that retailers need support and that £500 for a two-year licence is too much for small businesses with limited outdoor seating.

Members raised concerns about the licence not being transferable. It was suggested that a six-week grace period should allow a new owner to apply without losing trade, subject to enforcement of licence conditions. Officers confirmed that licences could not be transferred, but the policy could allow an eight-week application grace period unless significant accessibility issues were found. Councillor Debbie Morris proposed an amendment for the policy to include the right of appeal if an application for pavement licence is refused, which would therefore also require the necessary amendment to the Constitution. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Keith Martin. Action – Licensing and Committee officers.

On being put to the committee the voting was CARRIED by general assent.

Members noted inconsistent use of “highway” and “licensed area” in point 4 and 5 of Schedule 1. At point 13, Members argued that requiring litter bins was unnecessary because there is already a requirement for the area to be kept clean and tidy. Councillor Debbie Morris proposed an amendment in Schedule 1 of the policy, for the second sentence at point 13 to be removed, and change to the terminology at points 4 and 5. Councillor Ciaran Reed seconded the proposal. Officers agreed to use “licensable area” consistently and deleting the second sentence of point  ...  view the full minutes text for item RG15/21

To note the Committee’s work programme.

Members asked about a previous request to review polling stations in the district before 2029, preferably in a non-general election year, as some polling station arrangements remain unsuitable. The Committee Officer responded that she had provided an officer response in June and read out the response to the committee. Furthermore, the officer advised that specific concerns should be raised directly with the relevant officers. The Chair said a review was inappropriate at this time, due to the current council restructuring, and having received the officer’s response, moved the discussion on. Members stressed that concerns remained.

The Committee Officer asked the committee whether a date to review the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy could be added on the work programme. Officers said the policy was reviewed last year and may need a prompt reconsideration when government taxi guidance changes. Although, its emissions and vehicle age provisions currently have limited impact. Members emphasised that a review within a year had already been agreed. The committee agreed to add the item to the work programme for 20 January. Action – Committee Officer.

Councillor Ciaran Reed proposed that the review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy be added to the work programme for 20 January. Councillor Debbie Morris seconded the proposal.

On being put to the committee the voting was CARRIED by general assent.

If the Committee wishes to consider the remaining item in private, it will be appropriate for a resolution to be passed in the following terms:-

“that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined under paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act. It has been decided by the Council that in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

(Note:  If other confidential business is approved under item 3, it will also be necessary to specify the class of exempt or confidential information in the additional items.)

The Chair moved the following motion:

“that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined under paragraph (3) of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act. It has been decided by the Council that in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

The committee moved to Part II business.

The item was Part II.