LICENSING AND
REGULATORY SUB-COMMITTEE NO. 6
26TH
SEPTEMBER 2006
Present:
Councillor W T Beard; Chair
Councillors T E Ankers, J A Beech, R E Dodd
and W S Davies
In Attendance:
Mrs C M
Jones Democratic
Services Committee Officer
11
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
No Member made any declaration of interest in
respect of any item on the agenda.
12
LICENCE TO DRIVE HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE
VEHICLES
The report of the Executive Director
(Environment and Development) gave details of Colin Maydew, a
licence-holder who had received a conviction for battery which
would not become spent until June 2011.
This item had been deferred from the meeting
held on 29th August 2006 to allow Mr Maydew the
opportunity to attend. Mr Maydew was not present at today’s
meeting, but had sent a letter of explanation. He was
currently on holiday, but planned to attend the next meeting
(24th October 2006).
Members of the Sub-Committee accepted that,
in accordance with the Rules of Natural Justice, Mr Maydew should
be given a further opportunity to be heard in order to establish
whether his conviction rendered him an unfit person to continue to
hold the licences. However, in view of his non-attendance at
the Sub-Committee on two occasions, despite having been notified of
both hearings, the Members were not satisfied that he had provided
good reason for his non-attendance.
RESOLVED: That the Hackney
Carriage and Private Hire licences held by Colin Maydew be
suspended pending his appearance before the Sub-Committee when
consideration of the substantive matter could be
given.
13 LICENCE TO
DRIVE HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE
VEHICLES
Mr Taylor joined the meeting at this point in
the proceedings.
The Sub-Committee considered the report of the
Executive Director (Environment & Development) which gave
details of a new applicant for a licence to drive Hackney Carriage
and Private Hire vehicles.
In completing his application, Mr Taylor had
revealed that on 21st March 2003 he had been convicted
of failing to provide a specimen for analysis (driving or
attempting to drive). He had received a fine for the offence
and had undertaken an approved drink-drive rehabilitation course.
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, the offences would
not become spent until 21st March 2008.
A letter from Mr Taylor in support of his
application was read to the meeting. He spoke in support of
his application and was questioned by the Sub-Committee.
The Sub-Committee was invited to consider if,
in the light of the convictions, Mr Taylor was a “fit and proper”
person to hold a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licence.
Mr Taylor withdrew from the meeting whilst the
Sub-Committee reached its decision and re-joined the meeting to be
informed of that decision.
RESOLVED: That John
Horrace Taylor be granted a licence to drive Hackney Carriage and
Private Hire Vehicles.
Reasons for the Decision:
The Sub-Committee took into account –
(1) The Council’s
Statement of Policy about Relevant Convictions.
(2) Although the
conviction would not become spent until 21st March 2008,
the Sub-Committee was satisfied that Mr Taylor was a “fit and
proper person” to hold the licences.
Mr Taylor withdrew from the meeting.
14 HACKNEY
CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE LICENSING POLICY
Mr J Dolan joined the
meeting at this point in the proceedings.
The report of the Executive Director
(Environment & Development) outlined
proposals to define the
specifications of licensed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire
Vehicles, in particular Hackney Carriages which were licensed by
the Council for the carriage of wheelchair-bound passengers.
RESOLVED: That the
proposals, as detailed in the report submitted, be approved for the
purpose of consultation with the trade and with groups representing
the disabled.
15 APPLICATION
FOR HACKNEY CARRIAGE TARIFF INCREASE
The Sub-Committee
considered the report of the Executive Director (Environment and
Development, which gave details of an application from the local
trade association, Crewe and Nantwich Taxi Association, for an
increase in the Hackney Carriage tariff.
The Sub-Committee was asked to determine the
application.
RESOLVED:
(1) That the Hackney
Carriage tariff be amended as follows:
(a) That the fare
applicable to the first 201 metres (220 yards) or less on Tariff 1
be increased to £2.00;
(b) That the fare
applicable to subsequent distances of 201 metres (220 yards) on
Tariff 1 be increased to £0.20;
(c) That the fare
applicable to the first 169 metres (185 yards) or less on Tariff 2
be increased to £2.00;
(d) That the fare
applicable to subsequent distances of 169 metres (185 yards) be
increased to £0.20; and
(e) That the fare
applicable to the first 134 metres (146 yards) or less on Tariff 3
be increased to £3.20;
(2) That
statutory notice be given, and, subject to there being no
objections to the notice, or any objections received being
withdrawn, the increase be approved and brought into effect.
Mr J Dolan withdrew from the meeting.
16 GAMBLING ACT
2005
The Sub-Committee received
the report of the Executive Director (Environment and Development)
which provided information in respect of the Gambling Act 2005 and
the arrangements made by the Council to implement it.
The Act transferred responsibility from the courts to the Council
for the licensing of premises used for gambling.
The new licensing scheme was due to come
into force, fully, on 1st September 2007. It was
noted that the timescale for introduction had been revised and the
transitional period would run from 30th April 2007 to
31st July 2007.
Training on the new legislation would be
given to Members in due course.
…………………………………………Chair