Those present were noted.

It was noted that in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, notice had been given that Councillor Graham Williams had been appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Adrian Benjamin for this meeting only.

Apologies for absence were also received from Councillor Andrew Leonard, Councillor Billy Brookes, Councillor Sarah Devereux, Councillor Graham Cullen and Councillor George Horton.

At this point in the meeting Members were asked to disclose any relevant interests. No interests were disclosed.

To confirm the Open and Exempt Minutes of the General Licensing Meeting held on 5 July 2021.

The Open and Exempt Minutes of the General Licensing Committee held on 5^th July 2021 were agreed as a correct record.

Report to follow.

Members received a report from the Community Safety Manager that requested them to undertake the annual review of the Maximum Hackney Carriage (taxi) Fare Structure and make any amendments to the fare structure that it considered necessary.

The Principal Licensing Officer introduced the report and reminded Members that this related to the Maximum Hackney Carriage Fare Structure and this did not include Private Hire Vehicles. The Principal Licensing Officer further advised that on 29^th March 2021, the Committee resolved to delay the 2021 fare review for six months due to the ongoing pandemic.

The Principal Licensing Officer informed Members that the Skegness Taxi Owners Association (STOA) was requesting that certain aspects of the Maximum Fare Structure be reviewed, including the initial hiring charge (the flagfall) and the fares for Easter Sunday.  The Principal Licensing Officer highlighted within the report the specific requests made by the STOA (Page 1 of the report refers).  It was also noted that a submission had been received by Mr. Simon Evans, a taxi proprietor based in Skegness, (Appendix C, page 13 of the report refers).

The Principal Licensing Officer advised that should the Committee be minded to suggest any changes to the fare structure, then any amendments would be subject to the necessary statutory notices being advertised and there being no objections from the public or taxi trade.  Should any objections be received, then these would need to come back to the General Licensing Committee for further consideration.

Given the current national rate of inflation being 2.4%, and the increase in fuel prices, the Principal Licensing Officer advised that officers would support some form of increase in the Maximum Taxi Fare Structure.

Members were referred to Paragraph 1.2, Page 2 of the report, which highlighted that when any change to the fare structure was enacted, the Council must issue all hackney carriage vehicles with a new tariff card.

The Principal Licensing Officer informed Members that the STOA were currently seeking the following:

• An increase to the initial flagfall from £3.20 for the first 800 yards to £3.50 for the first 800 yards (a 30p increase). 

• An increase to Tariff 1, the daytime fares for distance, from 20 pence for each 195 yards to 20 pence for each 190 yards (reducing the unit charge by 5 yards).

• That Easter Sunday be charged at Tariff 2 rate rather than the Tariff 1 rate.  (N.B the Principal Licensing Officer advised Members that STOA made a similar request in 2018 and 2019 which was declined by the Committee).

• An increase in the waiting time rate to be amended to 20p for each period of 45 seconds (this equates to an hourly rate of £16.00).

• That for extra charges/additional persons, for each person in excess of two, the charge be amended to 50 pence. (N.B The Principal Licensing Officer advised Members that the STOA made similar requests in 2013, 2014, 2015,2016,2017,2018 and 2019 which were declined by the Committee).

• That mileage limit on call-out charges be removed and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that, if they were present, there could be disclosed exempt information as defined at paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 12 of the Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

It was proposed and seconded that the public and press be excluded from the meeting.

RESOLVED

That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that, if they were present, there could be disclosed exempt information as defined at paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Act (as amended).

To receive an open report from the Community Safety Manager.

(N.B Members entered into exempt session at 15:00hours)

A confidential report was submitted by the Community Safety Manager which enabled Members to consider an application for an exemption from the duty to carry wheelchair users in licensed vehicles.

The Principal Licensing Officer set out the background to the report and advised Members that Section 166 of the Equality Act 2010 allowed the Council to exempt drivers to assist passengers in wheelchairs if this Authority was satisfied that it was appropriate to do so on medical grounds, due to a drivers physical condition which made it difficult for them to comply with their duties.

RESOLVED

That this item be deferred until the next scheduled meeting on 25^th October 2021.

To receive a confidential report from the Community Safety Manager.

A confidential report was submitted by the Community Safety Manager which requested Members consider an Application for Renewal of an Animal Welfare Licence (Dog Breeding).

The Principal Licensing Officer set out the background to the report and advised Members that this was an application for a renewal of an Animal Welfare Licence (dog breeding).

RESOLVED

That this item be deferred until the next scheduled meeting on 25^th October 2021.

(N.B Councillor Sarah Parkin left the meeting at 15:35pm)