Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report of the Director of Environment which updated Members on the activities of the Licensing Team since the last update in April 2026.

The Council, acting in its role as Licensing Authority carries out a range of statutory functions including taxi and private hire licensing, alcohol, entertainment and late-night refreshment, gambling, and street trading. The submitted report sets out the activities of the licensing team since April 2026 together with outlining the challenges and demands on the service.

The Licensing team continued to advise, issue, and ensure compliance with a range of premises licences issued under the Licensing Act 2003 and it was noted that there had been two hearings since April 2026.

Officers continued to advise and respond to complaints about licensed premises and undertook inspections to ensure compliance with conditions. In terms of Taxi and Private Hire Licensing, there had been 725 new applications received for dual driver licences since April 2026.

The Service continued to receive high levels of dual driver applications. A recently approved restructure was being implemented to increase the resources and resilience within the service.

The rise in licensed drivers continues to lead to a rise in private hire vehicle applications. The Committee approved the requirement for mid-year tests to be carried out by any DVSA approved testing station, with first or annual tests being carried out at the Councils in-house testing depot, Moorhey Street.

The Committee was provided with the data on vehicle testing. Between April and October 2026 Hackney Carriages had a 58% pass rate and Private Hire had a 50% pass rate. Members were provided with a breakdown for reason for failures.

Since April 2026 there have been 36 hearings before the Licensing Drivers Panel. As a result, seven drivers were granted licences, eight were refused, seven were suspended, nine had their licence revoked with immediate effect, four written warnings were issued and one had no further action. In addition, there have been 10 delegated decisions made by Officers for urgent matters.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.