Agenda and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda. The Committee had however received a representation submitted by Unite Leeds prior to the meeting in response to the Taxi & Private Hire information report (minute 50 refers).

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Feldman and Hanley

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 18^th October 2011 as a correct record

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th October 2011 be agreed as a correct record

To consider the report of the Director of Resources highlighting some of the key areas of the work of the Taxi  &Private Hire Licensing Section and informing Members of the operational activity; administrative decisions and outcomes during the preceding 12 months.

(Report attached)

The Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a report on operational and administrative activity undertaken by the LCC Taxi and Private Hire Licensing (TPHL) Section between October 2010 and October 2011. The report outlined key areas of work and was presented for Members information.

The Section Head, Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Office attended the meeting to present the information contained within the report and highlighted the following issues for Members particular attention:

Vehicles – statistics showed that drivers and operators were making use of the age criteria exemption, as more applications were being made and approved for vehicles over the 7 year age criteria limit. Members noted the success of the scheme aimed at improving the overall safety of vehicles by encouraging drivers/operators to properly maintain the fleet.

Staffing and resources – a copy of the staffing structure was included within the report along with statistics showing the number of applications/renewals/enquiries and actions dealt with by TPHL. A number of posts were vacant and were being pursued through the appropriate recruitment process. Implementation of a new ICT system will improve administration time and reduce the number of trade customers who visited the offices in person. Additionally, consideration was being given to the introduction of a new “3 year licence” for drivers where appropriate.

Delegated Decisions - Appendix B set out the decisions taken in line with LCC policies relating to the conditions and applications for new licences or renewals. Statistical data was presented showing a breakdown of the types of action taken by officers in line with the policies and further detail was provided on the following:

·  Revocations – decisions made by officers were taken in line with the policy focussing on public safety

·  Remedial training – such as refresher courses where appropriate for drivers who had been referred on receipt of complaints.

·  Enforcement – action taken in respect of vehicle defects or after receipt of notification of police action involving a driver. Legislation regarded being a Hackney Carriage (HC) or Private Hire (PH) drivers as being in a position of trust and it was therefore a notifiable occupation.

·  Public complaints – the number and nature of complaints and the measures LCC could employ to address the issues raised.

·  Offences – Officers reiterated that conviction of an offence did not automatically result in the revocation of a licence but LCC policy required action to be taken where public safety was put at risk

The Committee noted the information provided and went onto comment and discuss the following issues:

-  the work undertaken to identify vehicle defects, such as defective tyres

-  the number of vehicles being granted an exception to the 7 year age criteria rule (68 out of 114 applications).

-  the number of prosecutions undertaken and the number of those that were of drivers from outside Leeds (52 out of 96)

-  the number of customers dealt with by the licensing officer counter staff (approximately 13,000 by 3 to 5 staff)

-  the liaison undertaken with other neighbouring  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

To consider the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration providing an update on the multi agency de-briefings relating to the Leeds Festival held in the grounds of Bramham Park during August Bank Holiday weekend 2011.

(Report attached)

The Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a report on the outcome and findings of the Leeds Festival Multi-Agency meeting held on 29 September 2011. The Festival had been held over August Bank Holiday weekend and the report referred to the comments made by the various agencies involved in preparations for the Festival.

Members noted the comments of Mr G Mudhar on behalf of LCC Environmental Protection Team regarding the nature of the noise complaints received during the event.

It was noted that this year’s event had the lowest crime figures for 5 years and officers highlighted the swift action taken by Festival Republic to address issues when raised

The Committee noted that all agencies had been satisfied with the event this year and welcomed the efforts made by the promoter to address issues identified in previous years to provide a successful Festival.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and to thank all agencies and LCC officers involved in the event for their continued effort to produce a successful Festival.

To consider the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration setting out the proposed response to consultation on the Government proposals to reform activities currently classed as “regulated entertainment”. This matter was initially considered by Committee on 18 October 2011

(Report attached)

Further to minute 42 of the meeting held 13th September 2011, the Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a further report on the Governments’ proposals to reform those activities currently classed as “regulated entertainment” in Schedule One of the Licensing Act 2003 and setting out the Councils response to that consultation having regard to the comments made by Members at the previous meeting and those submitted afterwards.

A copy of the full draft response was attached to the report for members consideration and approval.

RESOLVED – That the Licensing Committee endorses the document attached at Appendix 1 of the submitted report as the Council’s response to the DCMS consultation on the deregulation of entertainment.

To consider the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration on the implications of the Police and Social Responsibility Act 2011 and subsequent changes to the Licensing Act 2003

(Report attached)

The Head of Licensing and Registration submitted a report providing the Committee with information on the measures within the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 which will have an impact on the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003. Measures included in the Act were intended to overhaul the Licensing regime and give more powers to local authorities and police to tackle problem premises.

The Committee noted that it was likely the changes would lead to substantial revisions to the Section 182 Guidance and were mostly likely to commence after April 2012

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report

To note and comment on the Licensing Work Programme

(Copy attached)

The Committee noted that Member Learning Day was scheduled for Tuesday 22^nd November 2011 and would include gambling and equality & diversity issues

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the Work Programme

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 20^th December 2011 at 10:00 am

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday 20^th December 2011 at 10:00 am