Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 16 October 2013 and of the Sub-Committees held on 28 October 2013 and 2 December 2013.

The Chairman thanked Officers for the time and effort that went into the Sub-Committee meeting held on 28 October 2013 .

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 16 October 2013 and the Sub-Committees held on 28 October 2013 and 2 December 2013 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

No additional declarations of interest were made.

None.

None.

The Licensing Partnership Manager presented a report detailing the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing fees for the year 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.  The fees had been set to ensure that the ‘Taxi Licensing’ service remained self-financing.  The proposed increase was in line with the 3.5% inflation rate in accordance with the Council’s Service and Budget plan.  All other increases in cost of providing the service had been absorbed by efficiency savings as a result of the Licensing Partnership.

The Licensing Partnership Manager advised Members that there was an error on page 17 of the report, and that the total for new fees for 2014/15 should be £166 not £213, this was also applied to the total for Private Hire Driver Licence.  It was brought to Members attention that previously a charge would apply to the ‘Knowledge Test’ if the test had been failed twice.  A charge would now be applied after one failure. 

Members were advised that if the fees were agreed they would then go to consultation.  This would be carried out by email, public notice and via the Council’s website.  The Licensing Partnership Manager informed Members that the legislation did not set out how consultation needed to take place only that consultation should take place. 

In response to questions the Licensing Partnership Manager informed Members that the ‘Knowledge Test’ involved 10 routes to different locations and the driver had to take the shortest route.  She also explained that should anyone challenge the 3.5% increase then figures would be provided as Taxi fees are separate within the Council budget and therefore easy to locate. 

It was also brought to Members attention that should an incident take place that they are aware of, then to report it to the Council.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That the fee levels as set out in paragraph 7 of the report were appropriate for consultation with the Taxi trade. 

The report set out the proposed fees for the Gambling Act 2005 and Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 for the year 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015.  The Licensing Partnership Manger informed Members that the recommendation in the report was also to include the fees set out in Appendix A and paragraph 11 of the report.  The fees ensured that the Council complied with its statutory duty and ensured that the Gambling Licensing service remained self-financing in accordance with the Council’s Service and Budget Plan which used the 3.5% inflation factor.

The Licensing Partnership Manager reported that in the District there were only Betting premises. She advised Members that there was an error in the fees and that the Betting premises (excluding tracks) application to vary  should read 1500 instead of 1530.

The Licensing Partnership Manager reported that the recommended increase for Sexual Entertainment Venue fees had been calculated by examining the ‘time’ it took to carry out the various tasks and staffing costs, this was also based on experience of the partners within the Licensing Partnership.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Full Council that the appropriate fee levels

(a)     for an initial application, a transfer or a renewal application for Sexual Entertainment Venues be £2,960; and

(b)     under the Gambling Act 2005 for the Sevenoaks District, be as set out in Appendix A (as amended) to the report.