Venue: Parkside, Station Approach, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics, LE13 1GH
Contact: Democratic Services
Link: View Licensing Committee
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Posnett and Wilkinson. |
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Declarations of Interest PDF 85 KB Members to declare any
interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: No declarations of interest were received. |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2021. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2021 were confirmed. |
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Minutes from Licensing Sub-Committees There have been no sub-committees held since the last the meeting therefore there are no minutes for consideration. Minutes: No Licensing Sub-Committees have been held since the last Licensing Committee meeting. |
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To receive a report to consider whether taxi fees charged
for processing applications should be amended given the significant effect of
the Coronavirus pandemic on the taxi trade. Minutes: The Taxi Fees 2021 were
presented to the Committee. Members were informed that the Taxi Fees haven’t been
reviewed since 2017. The taxi trade supports the rural and night-time economy
but the pandemic has affected the taxi trade across the country. In addition to
this the number of taxis has decreased since 2018 and now Melton has the lowest
number of taxis in Leicestershire. Discussion ensued regarding
the private hire operators licence and the private hire vehicle licence. It was
clarified to Members that a company with a fleet of vehicles would have to
obtain an operators licence, each vehicle would have to have a vehicle licence
and each driver would have to have a drivers licence. Following a question
regarding encouraging people to become taxi or private hire drivers, the
Committee was informed that the Council are attempting to encourage more trade
with the introduction of a one year licence and not raising fees beyond what is
necessary in order to recover costs incurred. It was noted though, that the
Council can only issue licences, it can not mandate drivers work at weekends,
or at night to support the night-time economy. A question was asked on
whether the Council could provide a cheaper licence for those people who wish
to drive only at weekends. It was confirmed that the cost of the licence
reflects the work that the Council have to do administering that licence and in
any event a licence cannot be part-time – once licensed the vehicle and driver
remain licensed full-time for the entire duration of the licence. In response to a question
about the fees in comparison with other areas, the Committee was reassured that
the fees are competitive. RESOLVED 1. The Committee
APPROVED that the consultation commences with the taxi trade to understand the
significance of amending fees including consideration of introducing a one year
and two year drivers licence where there are the relevant circumstances. 2. The Committee
APPROVED setting the fee charged to drivers for the disclosure and barring
service (DBS) check to be in line with the charge incurred by Melton Borough
Council. 3. The Committee
AGREED that authority is delegated to the Director for Growth and Regeneration
in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement to
resolve any objections received and to implement the new fee table from 1
December 2021 to 31 March 2023. |
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Mobile Homes Act 2013 - Policy including fees PDF 180 KB To receive a report to which presents a Mobile Homes Policy including fees for approval. Additional documents: Minutes: The report on Mobile Homes
Act 2013 Policy including fees was presented to the Committee with the
Licensing and Compliance Officer introducing the report. In response to a question
regarding the number of sites in the Borough, it was confirmed that there are
currently two sites which the Act applies to. Members were informed that, under
the Act, a licence cannot be granted to a site until the site has received
planning permission. A discussion ensued
regarding the behaviour of residents living on sites however, the Committee was
informed that the Act aims to protect the residents living on the sites and
does not seek to regulate the residents themselves. It was noted that some site
landlords have properties across the county, therefore Officers have been
collaborating with other Councils throughout Leicestershire to establish a
consistent and fair approach. The Committee welcomed the
introduction of a fit and proper test for people who wish to be a Site owner or
Site manager. In response to a question on
whether the Council have had applications, Members were informed that Officers
will be writing to sites and inviting them to apply. RESOLVED The Committee APPROVED the
Mobile Homes Act 2013 Fees Policy and the fees contained therein. |
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Urgent Business To consider any other items that the Chair
considers urgent Minutes: There was no urgent business for discussion. |