Agenda and minutes

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

Note:

1.    Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest; and

2.    Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations were made pertaining to the agenda:

·       County Borough Councillor S. Morgans declared an interest in Item 7 of the agenda: ‘The applicant’s employer is a family friend and I will not vote on the item’; and

·       County Borough Councillor P. Howe declared an interest in Item 7 of the agenda: ‘The applicant’s employer is known to me and I will not vote on the item’.

To note, that when Members determine the licensing and registration matters before them, they have a duty not to act in a manner that is incompatible with the convention on Human Rights and the Crime and Disorder Act.

It was RESOLVED to note that when Members determine the licensing and registration matters before them, they have a duty not to act in a manner that is incompatible with the convention on Human Rights and the Crime and Disorder Act.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 23^rd March 2021.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 23^rd March 2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

The Temporary Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services informed the Licensing Committee of the establishment by the UNITE Union of an RCT Branch to represent the taxi drivers licenced to operate by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.

The officer drew Members’ attention to Section 3 of the report, which detailed the positive opportunities of the establishment of a Trade Union.

Members were informed of the following key issues identified by the Branch, that they would wish to explore with the Council:

•                Fees and Charges- a request for a review of the current charges and a specific request that the 21/22 uplift to the fees is not implemented; and

•                Pontypridd Taxi Rank- issues with its new, temporary location in Taff Street.

Members acknowledged the positive establishment of a Trade Union, which would facilitate improved discussion and engagement with the Trade and it was RESOLVED to endorse the establishment of the RCT Branch of UNITE Union that will represent taxi drivers licenced to operate by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.

(i)  Animal Licensing

The Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services presented Members with details of licences and registrations issued during the period 8^th March 2021 to 18^th April 2021.

It was RESOLVED to acknowledge the update.

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 13 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act”.

It was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 13 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Mr R Caswell

The Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services set out details of the following application for the grant of a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Driver Licence.

In accordance with adopted procedures, Members received Mr RC whose application for the grant of a Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Driver Licence was before Committee.

Following consideration of the report and the evidence before them, the Committee RESOLVED to refuse the application.

The Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services provided Members with the report outlining the most recent enforcement activity, including any prosecution and appeals updates for the period 24^th March 2021 to 23^rd April 2021.

The Committee RESOLVED to acknowledge the update.

(i)   Joint Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Drivers Licences

(ii)  Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licences

(iii)  Private Hire Vehicle Licences

(iv)  Private Hire Operator Licences

The Director, Public Health, Protection and Community Services provided Members with the report outlining the Licences and/or Registrations issued under provisions of Delegated Authority for the period 8^th March 2021 to 18^th April 2021.

The Committee RESOLVED to acknowledge the update.