Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from County Borough Councillors K. Johnson.

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, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

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 18^th July 2023.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 18^th July 2023 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

(i)  Animal Licensing

(ii) Piercing & Tattooing

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services presented Members with details of licences and registrations issued during the period 10^th July 2023 to 20^th August 2023.

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.

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services provided Members with the report outlining the most recent enforcement activity, including any prosecution and appeals updates for the period 10^th July 2023 to 20^th August 2023.

Members were advised that in the last committee report concerns were raised by the trade that there could be a flood of Wolverhampton licensed vehicles and drivers operating in RCT, and Licensing concerns are that RCT officers have no enforcement powers to deal with these vehicles/drivers.

Furthermore, this issue was raised by the Health Protection and Licensing Manager in the Licensing Expert Panel meeting which represents all Local Authorities across Wales, where it was agreed that LAs would monitor the situation.

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services reported that RCT has also submitted a Freedom of Information request that has yet been responded, however, this would be circulated to Committee upon receiving the information.

In addition, further concerns are the standard of conditions for Wolverhampton vehicle/drivers compared to those licensed by RCT.

Following discussions, the Committee RESOLVED;

-       To acknowledge the update.

-       To circulate the response from the Freedom of Information request to Committee once received.

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

(ii)   Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licences

(iii)  Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licences 

(iv)  Private Hire Vehicle Licences

The Head of Service for Public Protection and Regulatory Services provided Members with the report outlining the Licences and/or Registrations issued under provisions of Delegated Authority for the period 10^th July 2023 to 20^th August 2023.

The Committee RESOLVED to acknowledge the update.