Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Taylor declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to agenda item 4 as he works for an establishment that is licensed for regulated entertainment. He left the room when this item was considered and took no part in the discussions.

Councillor Hyman declared a personal interest as he had received an email from Allan Davies, the Chair of the Independent Taxi Association in relation to agenda item 5, although he had not entered into discussions with Mr. Davies.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2011.

RESOLVED:                That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2011 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Committee’s remit can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Friday 18^th November 2011.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

This report advises members of a recent consultation from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) entitled “Regulated Entertainment” a consultation proposal to examine the deregulation of Schedule One of the Licensing Act 2003.  It seeks members approval regarding the councils response to the consultation.

Members considered a report which advised them of a recent consultation from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) entitled ‘Regulated Entertainment’ to examine the deregulation of Schedule One of the Licensing Act 2003.

Officers outlined the report and advised that the DCMS is proposing to deregulate certain licensable regulated entertainment activities.

Members made the following comments and suggestions:

·        The consultation response drafted by Officers is reflective of what happens in York.

·        At present there is a good balance in the City between licensed premises and the needs of residents and de-regulation would not be helpful.

·        A summary or headline statement at the beginning of the response would be useful to highlight that City of York Council does not agree with the proposed de-regulation.

·        In relation to the response to question 16, some Members felt that 22:00 was a suitable cut off time for live music in some instances, especially if children resided in neighbouring residential buildings.

RESOLVED:                That Members approved the draft response attached at Annex 3 and delegated to the Chair and Vice Chair to agree final wording with Officers before submitting the response to the DCMS.

REASON:                     To ensure the Council’s views on the matter are communicated to the DCMS.

This report asks Members to approve a revised taxi licensing policy.

Members considered a report which asked them to approve a revised Taxi Licensing policy.

Officers advised that the 2011 Halcrow Unmet demand Survey had been received and it had identified no evidence of significant unmet demand for Hackney Carriages in York.

A suggested policy was set out at Annex B to the Officers report which incorporated the decisions made by Members at the meeting on the 13 July 2011 at which they had considered the recommendations from the Scrutiny Review of Taxi Licensing Policy. The policy also reflects the findings of the Halcrow Unmet Demand Survey.

The following discussions took place:

·        In response to Members questions, Officers confirmed they had taken legal advice on the suggested policy at Annex B and that Legal Officers were satisfied with the policy.

·        Members acknowledged that the trade did not want further licence plates to be issued but felt that the Council has an obligation to encourage the provision of wheelchair accessible vehicles and environmentally friendly vehicles for use as Hackney Carriages.

·        In relation to paragraph 7 of the proposed policy at Annex B, Members queried how soon the requirement for new taxi drivers to take an eco-driving course could be enforced. Officers advised that as soon as they had identified a suitable course, this would be enforced.

·        Officers advised that they were satisfied that Euro 5 diesel vehicle class was suitable for replacement vehicles along with petrol vehicles.

RESOLVED:              That Members approved Option 1 and adopted the Taxi Licensing policy as set out at Annex B.

REASON:                   The policy incorporates the recommendations of the Community Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the findings of the Halcrow Unmet Demand Survey.