Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th July 2012.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the last meeting held on 25 July 2012 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 16^th November 2012.

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

This report advises members of the review of the councils statement of licensing policy, of the consultation undertaken and of the changes made as a result of the consultation and revised guidance.  Members are asked to recommend the revised policy to full council for approval.

[See also under Part B minutes]

Members considered a report that advised them of the review of the councils statement of licensing policy, of the consultation undertaken and of the changes made as a result of the consultation and revised guidance.

Officers gave an update and stated that under section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 it required licensing authorities to determine and publish a statement of licensing policy every 3 years. Officers confirmed that the current policy expired on 31 January 2013 and the new statement of licensing policy must be approved by full Council and be published before the current one expired.

Members were informed that a full consultation had been carried out in accordance with the Act and guidance.  It commended on 2 July 2012 and finished on the 28 September 2012.

Members considered the revised draft policy and debated on points 2.2 and 2.3. The licensing officer stated that the policy was a legal statement and that both points had been present on previous policies. She also assured Members that gambling premises do have a legal requirement to display official notices and leaflets about the problems that can arise from gambling.

RESOLVED: That option 1 , to approve the revised draft  policy, be approved.

REASON: To ensure the Council comply with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005 and publish a new statement of licensing policy before 31^st January 2013.

This report asks Members to consider a recommendation received from the council’s City Transport Planner regarding reducing the number of taxi rank spaces on the Piccadilly rank.

Members considered a recommendation received from the council’s City Transport Planner regarding reducing the number of taxi rank spaces by half from 4 vehicle spaces to 2 on the Piccadilly rank.

Officers confirmed they would like to reduce the taxi rank as there was a significant shortage of cycle parking spaces available in the City and by reducing the rank by half it would provide parking for 30 cycles.

Although no formal consultation had taken place officers confirmed that some monitoring had been done which showed that the taxi rank was not frequently used. The Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability,  North Yorkshire Police, Safer York and the local Ward Councillors had also been consulted and supported the reductions.

In answer to some Members questions, officers confirmed that:

·        If all 4 parking spaces were deleted there would be a shortage of taxi spaces in the City Centre as currently officers were unable to find a suitable location to relocate the lost spaces.

·        If the recommendation was agreed officers would  undergo a formal consultation period and the Director of City and Environmental Services would take a report to the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability.

RESOLVED:  That Option 1, agree with City Transport Planner’s proposal and ask officers to recommend to the Director of City and Environmental Services to go out for formal consultation regarding reducing the rank to a 2 vehicle rank, be approved.

REASON:  This option still provides provision of a taxi rank on Piccadilly and also provides the provision of cycle park.

At the end of the meeting the Chair passed on her thanks to those Members who had been involved in the licensing hearings.

[See also under Part A minutes]

Members considered a report that advised them of the review of the councils statement of licensing policy, of the consultation undertaken and of the changes made as a result of the consultation and revised guidance.

Officers gave an update and stated that under section 349 of the Gambling Act 2005 it required licensing authorities to determine and publish a statement of licensing policy every 3 years. Officers confirmed that the current policy expired on 31 January 2013 and the new statement of licensing policy must be approved by full Council and be published before the current one expired.

Members were informed that a full consultation had been carried out in accordance with the Act and guidance.  It commended on 2 July 2012 and finished on the 28 September 2012.

Members considered the revised draft policy and debated on points 2.2 and 2.3. The licensing officer stated that the policy was a legal statement and that both points had been present on previous policies. She also assured Members that gambling premises do have a legal requirement to display official notices and leaflets about the problems that can arise from gambling.

The Chair passed on her thanks to those Members who had been involved in the licensing hearings.

RECOMMENDED: That the new statement of licensing policy be approved by full council.

REASON: To ensure the Council comply with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005 and publish a new statement of licensing policy before 31^st January 2013.