Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Bushby and R Wiseman.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th May 2022.

It was proposed by Councillor J McKenzie, seconded by Councillor P Hackett and –

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th May 2022 be agreed as a correct record.

(Vote: For - unanimous)    

The action list was discussed and updated.

Members with interests to declare should refer to the agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is being considered.

Members were reminded that declarations of interest should be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.

There were no Part II items.

There were no urgent matters.

To receive the report of the Lead Licensing Officer.

Prior to commencement of the item the Lead Licensing Officer circulated a statement received from Gillian Boyle, Taxi Plate License holder, in response to the Taxi Demand Survey and expressing concern to the possibility of deregulation. Members were given time to read the statement.

The Lead Licensing Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was to provide the Committee with the results of the recent hackney carriage demand survey. Key aspects of the survey were highlighted to Members.

A brief discussion followed.

The Lead Licensing Officer gave an example of the unmet demand in Bideford.

It was suggested that an informal review be conducted next May to identify any further or new issues.

The Lead Licensing Officer asked if the recommendations in the report could be taken in two parts.

1)    Approval of the two wheelchair access plates available;

2)    Approval to retain the 49 plates for a further 3 years.

It was confirmed that there had been enquiries regarding the two available plates.

The Chair invited the Members of the Taxi Liaison Group to join the discussion. In response to a query regarding an increase in fares the Taxi Liaison Group did not support this idea due to the cost of living crisis.

Following concern of deregulation mentioned in the statement, the Taxi Liaison Group advised how the matter had occurred. The Chair confirmed he would speak to the source.

It was proposed by Councillor R Clarke, seconded by Councillor J McKenzie and –

Resolved:

That the two wheelchair access plates available be approved.

(Vote: For – unanimous)

It was proposed by Councillor R Clarke, seconded by Councillor P Hackett and –

Resolved:

That the 49 plates are retained for a further 3 years be approved.

(Vote: For – unanimous)

Following a further query regarding the shelter mentioned in Gillian Boyle’s statement, the Chair confirmed he would raise the issue with Bideford Town Council.

To receive the report of the Lead Licensing Officer.

The Lead Licensing Officer presented the report, the purpose of which was to seek approval from the Licensing Committee to commence a consultation exercise for the introduction of an Animal Licensing Policy.

It was advised that once the consultation had concluded the policy would come back to Licensing Committee for approval.

A brief discussion took place where the Lead Licensing Officer answered queries on which organisations and/or situations the policy would and would not cover.

The conversation proceeded onto enforcement with the Lead Licensing Officer explaining the difficulties surrounding this.

An explanation was given on the resources TDC have to aid the implementation of the policy if approved.

The Lead Licensing Officer advised that the Council sought to work with businesses to get to a standard to be issued a licence rather than refuse a licence immediately. It was confirmed no prosecutions had been carried out.

It was proposed by Councillor J McKenzie, seconded by Councillor Clarke and –

Resolved:

1)    That the consultation process be approved. 

2)    That the consultation process be carried out over an 8 week period and the responses be reported back to the Licensing Committee at a future date be approved.

(Vote: For – unanimous)

The Forward Plan was discussed and updated.