Agenda and minutes
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PDF 141 KBVenue: Committee Room - Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4ER. View directions
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Minutes of Previous Meetings To consider the minutes of previous meetings. Additional documents:
Minutes: The minutes of the meetings held on 27 June, 30 August, 11 September, 12 September, 30 October, 6 November, 19 November, 27 November and 18 December were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. |
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Fees for hackney carriage & private hire drivers, vehicles and operators To consider the report on fees for hackney carriage and private hire drivers, vehicles and operators. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Licensing Team Leader gave a summary of the report, which considered the responses to the consultation on the proposed increases to fees relating to hackney carriage and private hire vehicles and private hire operators licences. Objections on the matter had been received and therefore the Committee had to consider whether the variation to fees would come into force with or without modification.
The Chairman asked for copies of legal advice obtained by ULODA with regards to the variation in fees to be circulated to Members.
In response to a Member question, the Environmental Health Manager – Commercial said the costs of safeguarding training were not being included in the proposed fees increase. This training would be outsourced to an external provider. Instead the costs of a Safeguarding Officer which had been included in the fees increase related to the costs of an internal post which dealt with pre-application administration and issue.
Members noted issues raised by ULODA included the use of a percentage to ascertain the cost to the Council’s call centre attributable to licensing enquiries and the inclusion of the cost of inspecting vehicle testing stations. Legal advice to ULODA had concluded both points were acceptable to be incorporated into the proposed fee rise.
In response to a Member question, the Chairman and the Solicitor said officers were satisfied that they could defend the policy if it was challenged. The Council had obtained legal advice which stated that the costs incorporated into the proposed fees were legitimate.
In response to a Member question, the Accountant said the change in fees was attributable to the costs of the Safeguarding Officer’s work on licensing, a rise in overheads and a reassessment of staff time required. The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial said if a variation in fees was approved, it would be reviewed in a year and there was the potential they could be lowered if they were deemed to be too high.
In response to a Member question, the Chairman said adequate weight had been given to all consultation responses. The Council’s priority ultimately had to be providing an excellent service at a reasonable cost.
Members noted that there was provision for the Council to recoup the losses it had incurred from licensing over the past three years, although the Council had no plans to do this at present.
RESOLVED that the Licensing and Environmental Committee approve the proposed fee structure attached at Appendix A, to take effect on 1 April 2019, notwithstanding the objections received during the consultation period.
The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial said it was intended to hold half yearly meetings with the trade. Meetings between the trade and officers had so far been constructive and beneficial.
The meeting ended at 8.20. |