Agenda and draft minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee held on Wednesday  26 October 2022, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair. 

The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee held on Wednesday 26 October 2022, as circulated be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

To receive for information the following Minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Subcommittees: 

5 October 2022 

17 November 2022 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Subcommittees held on 5 October and 17 November respectively, be received for information.

14.1    Licensing Fees

Information was provided in relation to fees and charges for licences under the following legislation:

·       The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018

·       Zoo Licensing Act 181

·       Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013

·       Dangerous Wild Animal Act 1976

·       Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982) in relation to Tattooing and Piercing

Phil Soderquest, Director of Housing and Public Protection explained that fees were usually reviewed on an annual basis, but due to the onset of Covid and the impact on businesses, this had not happened since 2019, as a result, fees were lower than expected.

Significant pressures had also been experienced within the Local Authority and whilst pressures on businesses had been recognised, it had felt appropriate to increase fees by 9% to reflect the cost of delivery of the service. 

Appendix A contained the list of current fees and charges and the proposed new fees.

Discussion and debate took place on the classification and distinction of wild animals.

Councillor Parry put forward that the proposed fees be agreed en-masse.  This  was seconded by Councillor Humphries and unanimously agreed.

Councillor Chicken proposed that the new fees come into effect on 1 January 2023, this was seconded by Councillor Cessford.  11 members voted in favour, with 1 abstention

RESOLVED that:

1.     The content of the report and the revised fees as set out in Appendix 1 be noted.

2.     The proposed fees be agreed, all of which would come into effect on 1 January 2023.

14.2    Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Fees

 Members were provided with information in relation to consultation responses for hackney carriage and private hire licensing fees.

A short adjournment took place to consider the consultation responses document.

Mr Soderquest explained the rationale behind the increase and informed members of the three recommendations.

At its meeting on 26 October, the Committee had agreed to a review of taxi hire and private hire licensing fees and requested that officers began the formal consultation.

Statutory consultation had been undertaken, including the placing of public notices in several local newspapers with over 1000 licence holders emailed of the proposed increase with an invitation to comment on the process.

License fees had not been increased since 2018, and a decision had been taken not to increase fees in 2020/21 due to the onset of Covid.

It had been acknowledged that whilst businesses had restarted, they would be subject to additional costs arising from the cost of living crisis.  However, the Council had been equally impacted by the same pressures and to maintain service delivery, it was necessary to increase current fees and charges to reflect those increased costs associated with service delivery, including staffing.

Mr Soderquest referred to the level of responses to the consultation which had been slightly disappointing.

In response to a comment, Mr Soderquest, explained that the increase was directly contributed to inflationary pressures.

Discussion took place on the lack of responses and the perception of residents; discount  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The next meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee is scheduled for Wednesday 15 February 2023. 

RESOLVED that the next meeting of the Licensing and Regulatory on Wednesday 15 February, be noted.