Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the July meeting of the Licensing Committee, in particular Councillor Sarah Field who was attending her first meeting as a Member of the Licensing Committee and Councillor Mick Coulson who was welcomed back onto the Committee.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

There were no items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be considered.

The Committee accepted the inclusion of a late item in respect of “Select Committee on the Licensing Act 2013” (Minute No.25 referred). Officers reported that the information in question was not available at the time of agenda publication and it was considered to be in the best interests of all parties concerned that the matter be considered without delay

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests made at the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: B Gettings and   J Heselwood.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 20^th May 2016.

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th May 2016 be accepted as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes (If any)

(i)  Hotel Development, Portland Crescent (Minute No. 79 referred) – In providing an update the Chair said he was aware that a report was going to City Plans Panel on the 7^th July 2016 which would provide the latest available information on the project. The report would also be presented to Licensing Committee on 2^nd August 2016.

(ii)  Licensing Committee – Annual Governance Arrangements (Minute No. 10 referred) – It was confirmed that Councillor M Coulson had replaced Councillor E Tunnicliffe on Licensing Sub Committee C

To consider a report by the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration which sets out proposals to amend the Policy in respect of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Conditions – Corporate Advertising, Sign and Markings

(Report attached)

The Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration submitted a report which

set out proposals to amend the Policy in respect of Hackney Carriage Vehicles – Corporate Advertising, Signs and Markings.

Appended to the report was the following appendix:

·  Example of the type of livery when personalised to other Taxi Associations -  (Appendix 1 referred)

The Section Head, Taxi and Private Hire Licensing presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

·  Hackney Carriage Vehicle (HCV) wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV’s)

·  Hackney Carriage Vehicles (HCV) signs and markings – (Taxi Association advertising)

·  Hackney Carriage Vehicle (HCV) signs and markings (LCC licence plate improvements)

It was the general view of Members that the proposals be supported

RESOLVED –

(i)  That in respect of HCV Corporate livery, to approve a further consultation period of 6 weeks a report being brought back to this Committee in September 2016 for further consideration.

(ii)  That in respect of HCV Signs and markings (Taxi Association advertising) to approve in principle the addition to the existing policy, and that Officer's prepare a report for Executive approval.

(iii)  That in respect of HCV Signs and markings ( LCC licence plate improvement) to approve a further consultation period of 6 weeks, a  report being brought back to this Committee in September 2016 for further consideration.

To consider a report by the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration which highlights changes to primary legislation in respect of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and its impact upon Taxi & private Hire Licensing Policy.

(Report attached)

The Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration submitted a report which highlighted changes to primary legislation in respect of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and its impact upon the Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Policy

Appended to the report was the following appendix:

·  Proposed changes to the convictions criteria -  (Appendix 1 referred)

The Section Head, Taxi and Private Hire Licensing presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

·  Clarification around the meaning of “psychoactive substance”

·  Clarification of the meaning of “prohibited activity”

Members welcomed the report and were supportive of the proposals.

RESOLVED – To support the proposals of officers as set out in the submitted report and recommend for Executive approval and inclusion in the convictions criteria policy

The Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration submitted a report which set out details of a House of Lords Select Committee established to conduct scrutiny of the Licensing Act 2003, in particular the effectiveness of the Act.

The Select Committee had published a “call for evidence” which was seeking views and opinions from interested parties. The deadline for the submission of written evidence was 2^nd September 2016.

Officers suggested that as the third largest licensing authority in the Country it was important that Leeds City Council provided a response.

The Principal Licensing Officer presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and queries.

In the discussion that ensued, the Chair suggested the establishing of a Working Group with a view to providing a response for a call of evidence.

Members were supportive of the proposal.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That a Working Group be established with a view to providing a response for a call of evidence, the group to consist of Councillors: Downes, Field, Flynn, Harland, Hussain and Selby

(ii)  That a report setting out the proposed response be brought back to the next meeting for Members consideration. 

Licensing Committee – Annual Training Event

Compulsory Training for all Members of the Licensing Committee - Tuesday 1^st November 2016 at 9.15am

Safeguarding Training

To gain an understanding of the Safeguarding Training provided to Taxi/ Private Hire Drivers and Operators

Leeds and the Night Time Economy

An opportunity to Join Police Officers on a night time Patrol of the City Centre (10.30pm – 4.00am, two Elected Members per patrol)

Dates available:

·  Saturday 20^th August 2016

·  Saturday 10^th September 2016

·  Saturday 17^th September 2016

·  Saturday 24^th September 2016

RESOLVED – That future training arrangements be confirmed as follows:

(i)  Annual Compulsory Training Event for all Members of Licensing Committee – Tuesday 1^st November 2016 at 9.15am

(ii)  Safeguarding Training – (To gain an understanding of the safeguarding training provided to taxi/private hire drivers and operators) – Tuesday 6^th September 2016 at 9.15am

(iii)  Leeds and the Night time Economy – Join Police Officers on a night time patrol of the City Centre

·  Saturday 20^th August 2016 – Councillors: B Selby &  M Harland

·  Saturday 10^th September 2016 – Councillors: N Buckley &  R Downes

·  Saturday 24^th September 2016 – Councillors: S Field &  G Hussain

Reference was made to previous night time patrols when suggestions for improvement had been made, Members queried if any follow up action had been carried out.

In responding officers referred to the work ongoing towards Purple Flag which did incorporate initiatives previously raised by Members.

In the discussion that followed Members asked if an update report on Purple Flag could be provided to a future meeting for information.  At the same time Members asked if it would be possible to receive an update on the Leeds BID

Officers confirmed that inquiries would be made with the appropriate officers with a view to the requested reports being brought to a future meeting of this Committee.

To note the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2016/17.

(Report attached)

Members considered the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2016/17.

It was noted that in view of the decisions made earlier today, the following items had been added to the Committees Work Programme:

·  Wheelchair accessible vehicles – corporate advertising – Response to consultation

·  Signs and markings (LCC licence plate improvements) – Response to consultation

·  House of Lords Select Committee “call for evidence” – proposed response from Working Group.

·  Update on the Purple Flag Initiative

·  Update on the Leeds BID

RESOLVED – That with the inclusion of the above, to approve the contents of the Licensing Committee Work Programme for 2016/17

To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 2^nd August 2016 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday 2^nd August 2016 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.