To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 March 2020, as a correct record

Resolved: That the Minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 16 March 2020, be agreed and signed by the Chairman, as a correct record.

Any interests not already registered

For reasons of transparency Cllr Clack and Cllr Raikes declared that they knew one of the taxi drivers.

There were none.

Members considered the report which set out the proposed fees for a 2.5% inflation rise of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence Fees and the four responses received from the Trade following the consultation.

In response to questions, Members were advised that in some places the increase was only £3 and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils had both increased their fees which had been carried out earlier in the year. If the Council was able to work at reduced costs this could be mirrored in the fees.

Resolved: That, having taken account of the objections received, as detailed in the table in Appendix A of the report, the proposed fees and charges and associated costs for licences in respect of Hackney Carriage Drivers and vehicles and Private Hire Drivers, vehicles and operators as set out below be adopted with effect from 1 July 2020.

The Head of the Licensing Partnership presented the annual update on the performance and activity of the Licensing Partnership. Members were advised that at the time of publication figures for Maidstone had not been finalised but would be circulated.

The Head of the Licensing Partnership highlighted that due to staffing levels over the year compliance and enforcement performance targets were not met on occasion but this did not mean that action had not been taken but rather had missed the target date by one or two days. The Coronavirus had also had an impact as it meant that visits could not be carried out. As the team were now fully staffed the Head of the Licensing Partnership was confident targets would be met again.

In response to questions, Members were informed that the service plan had been amended to help manage situations such as the Coronavirus going forward. Additional considerations were given to health and safety in achieving workable solutions in ways to help support the trade. Discussions were taking place with how some face to face services could be reintroduced. The service had continued to run, during lockdown with some alterations to services and premises were being encouraged to have discussions with the Licensing team before advice on reopening from the Government was received.

Members were advised that for taxi drivers during lockdown the Licensing Partnership were continuing to allow renewal of licences but fees were not being taken. On application of renewal a declaration was required to be signed so that when the money was required the taxi drivers were agreeing to pay the fee within a set period of time.

Resolved: That the performance of the partnership be noted, and the Head of the Licensing Partnership continue to provide an annual update on the Licensing Partnership activity to the Licensing Committee each municipal year.

Members discussed the work plan and agreed to include an update on licensing within the fees report that would be going to the meeting on 5 January 2021.