To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 28 September, and the Licensing Hearings held on 6 October 2022 and 14 October 2022 as a correct record.

Resolved: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2022 and the Licensing Hearings held on 6 October 2022 and 14 October 2022, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to, the meeting held on 28 September 2022, Minute 4, paragraph 1 being amended to read “The Head of the Licensing Partnership presented the report which set out the options to either increase fees by 5% for Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Fees and Charges 2023/24 or keep them unchanged. The report recommended that fees remain unchanged from the previous year.

Any interests not already registered

There were none.

There were none.

Members considered the report which set out the level of fees and charges for a Sexual Entertainment Licence. The fees were unchanged from 2022 – 2023, as the Licensing Department had not received or processed an application within the District. Members were advised that the fees laid out in the report were for a period of 1 year.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That the level of fees and charges as set out below be approved from 1 April 2023

Members considered the report and associated appendices which set out the proposed gambling licence fees for 2023-2024. Members were informed that the title of the report and appendix should read ‘Gambling Act 2005 Licence Fees from April 2023’. The fees ensured that the Council complied with its statutory duty and ensured that the Gambling Licensing service remained self-financing. The fees included a 5% increase from the previous year to account for the increase to projected service running costs.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: That the level of fees and charges as set out below be approved from 1 April 2023:

Members considered a report which updated the Committee on the Hackney Carriage and private hire licensing fees and charges 2023-24. The report recommended that fees remain unchanged for 2023/24. At its meeting on 28 September 2022, the Committee resolved to keep fees and charges unchanged from the previous year and asked Officers to report back to its next meeting with an update once the annual credit/deficit position at the end of the financial year 2022/23 was clearer (Licensing Committee - 28 September 2022 - Minute 4).

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that the predicted income for the current financial year resulted in a final credit situation of approximately £4,000 which would help balance the 2023/24 financial year expenses due to a predicted increase in the Licensing Hub Team Costs. It was also noted that the number of licensed drivers had been decreasing year on year although the pandemic had affected numbers significantly. It was predicted that a further 15 drivers would become licensed before the end of March 2023.

Public Sector Equality Duty

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

Resolved: for the financial period 2023-24 Taxi fees remain unchanged as set out below:

Dual Driver Licence

Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence

Private Hire Operator Licence

Private Hire Driver Licence

Private Hire Vehicle Licence

Additional Costs

If a vehicle licence is surrendered within 6 months of issue, a refund of £113 will be issued.

The Work Plan was noted and it was agreed that the Licensing Partnership Annual Update 2023/24 be moved to the June meeting.