Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Crispin Raikes, Jeny Snell and Andy Soughton.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

a)            Questions/comments from members of the public

This is a chance for members of the public and representatives of Parish/Town Councils to participate in the meeting by asking questions, making comments and raising matters of concern.

Members noted that the applicant for Item 8 – Permission to apply for a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence would address the Committee at the time the item was discussed.

There were no other members of the public present at the meeting.

Members are asked to note that the next scheduled meeting of the Licensing Committee will be held on Tuesday 7^th September 2021 commencing at 10.00am.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Licensing Committee would be held on Tuesday 7^th September 2021 at 10.00am.

The Lead Specialist – Environment introduced the report and explained that the Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy had been refreshed to ensure all current legislation, guidance and best practice was incorporated.  In addition, the policy had been restructured to allow for easier reading.

The Specialist – Licensing referred to the statutory guidance and explained that there was an expectation that the recommendations were incorporated and implemented unless there was a compelling reason not to do so.  She highlighted the key statutory guidance changes to the policy which included:

·         An introduction for safeguarding training

·         Language proficiency test

·         A new requirement for licensed drivers to undertake DBS checks every six months and action taken if not carried out

·         A requirement for existing licensed holders to notify of any arrest, release or charge for certain convictions with a time limit of 48 hours

·         A national register to record refusals and revocations

·         A basic disclosure for all hackney carriage and private hire vehicle applicants that were not South Somerset District Council licensed drivers

·         A requirement for private hire operators and licensed holders to provide an annual basic disclosure where they were not already licensed drivers.

The Specialist – Licensing referred to the other changes in the policy which included:

·         Companies would be informed of any occasions where licenses may be suspended or revoked

·         All new applicants would have a three year licence

·         Adopted the Institute of Licensing Guidance on determining the suitability of applicant and licensees and would replace the current Criminal and Convictions Policy

·         If an existing driver reached seven penalty points on their DVLA licence the matter would be referred to the Licensing Committee or Licensing Sub Committee 

·         All new licensed vehicles to be compliant with the current European Emission Standard

·         Vehicles that are under 5 years old would have one vehicle check and vehicles over five years would have a test at the point the licence was renewed and around the mid-point of the licence period

·         As recommended by the report produced by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, the new policy recommended a mixed fleet to accommodate the needs of all disabled passengers and that at least 25% of vehicles should be wheelchair accessible

·         Changes to the policy where licences may be suspended or revoked and the penalty point system

During the discussion, Members raised a number of comments and questions. In response, the Lead Specialist – Environment and Specialist – Licensing advised members of the following:

·         The Licensing Committee was being asked to agree for the draft policy to go out to consultation to various stakeholders including all drivers and operators and the Police.  The Policy would then be presented to District Executive for approval and be formally adopted as South Somerset District Council’s Policy.  If there were significant comments made during the consultation process these could be brought back to the Licensing Committee.

·         Sometimes information was received from the Police about incidences involving taxi drivers and the information had been acted upon particularly where there could be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Members considered the report and recommended members to be appointed as Licensing Sub Committee Chairmen.

This item was considered in closed session.

The Committee was addressed by the applicant who explained the reasons for his request.

Members unanimously approved the request to allow the licensed driver to apply for a hackney carriage vehicle licence for a car which is more than 5 years old.