Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration to a report of the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager which provided information on the activities undertaken to discharge the Council’s Licensing function during the period 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022.

There were two strategic objectives that related to Licensing which were:

1.    To work with businesses to ensure they were licensed and compliant.

2.    To ensure safe passenger journeys, in safe licensed vehicles with safe licensed drivers.

The Licensing Act 2003 was governed by four licensing objectives:

·         Prevention of crime and disorder

·         Prevention of public nuisance

·         Public Safety

·         Protection of Children from Harm

Members were informed about the number of licensed premises under the Act, the number of applications considered by the Licensing Premises Panel and the number of complaints related to licensed premises. Members were also informed about the number of permissions under the Gambling Act 2005 and an update on age restricted sales.

Members were informed that officers continued to work with the private hire and hackney trade to ensure effective communication and consultation took place. The Committee were provided with an update on the details of applicants and drivers brought before the Licensing Drivers Panel over the last twelve months. Members were provided with the breakdown of licences in force and the vehicle testing data.

Members were informed of current projects which were underway or due to start in the coming months which included:

·         Refreshing the convictions policy for taxis alongside GM colleagues

·         Assessing the impact of the GM clean air plan on our licensing policy

·         Reviewing hackney carriage ranks, licence release policy and unmet demand.

·         Reviewing vehicle testing arrangements as part of a joint trade/council working group.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The report be noted.

2.    The implications of the report be considered in future licensing decisions.