Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Billy Brookes, Graham Cullen and George Horton.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to disclose any relevant interests. The following interests were disclosed:

·       Councillor Andrew Leonard asked it be noted that he was a personal licence holder and a Magistrate.

·       Councillor Carl Macey asked it be noted that he was a personal licence holder.

·       Councillor Terry Taylor asked it be noted that with regards to Item 7 the licence holder lived in his Ward.

To confirm the Open and Exempt Minutes of the General Licensing Meeting held on 15 July 2024.

The Open and Exempt Minutes of the General Licensing Meeting held on 15 July 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

Report of the Group Manager Public Protection.

Donna Hall, Group Manager Public Protection, presented Members with an open report which enabled them to undertake an annual review of the Maximum Hackney Carriage Fare Structure.  It was noted that the last variation of the hackney carriage fare structure took place in September 2023.

The Council had received separate submissions from the Skegness Taxi Owners Association (STOA) and the Skegness & District Taxi Drivers Association (SDTDA) regarding the fare structure review. Members were referred to the submissions set out in Appendix 2, page 23 of the report refers.

Both associations were asking for the daytime flag fall to increase from £4.00 to £5.00.  In addition, the STOA were asking for the booking fee / call out charge to be increased from 75p for each mile to £1.00 for each mile.  Members were referred to the current fare structure as set out in Appendix 1, page 21 of the report refers.

Officer advice was that the Committee should always be persuaded of the need to vary the fare structure before embarking on such a course of action. In reviewing the fare structure, the Committee should look to ensure customers received a fair deal whilst ensuring that hackney carriage vehicle drivers were able to make a living working in the trade.

A discussion ensued, and the following points were raised:      

A Member commented that considering the current climate, it was a reasonable request and would be happy to support the proposed increases.  A further comment was made with regards to prices rising more than inflation.

Another Member opposed the proposal and suggested that the current pricing structure remained.

The Group Manager Public Protection advised Members that, having reviewed the proposal, Committee could defer its decision until the following year, once the budget had been announced. A further review could take place early in 2025 in-line with the usual annual review cycle.   Further to a brief discussion, the majority of Members agreed with that way forward.

No further comments or questions were received.

Following which, it was

RESOLVED

That further to consideration from the General Licensing Committee, the annual review of the maximum hackney carriage fare structure be deferred to a future meeting of the Committee.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 18 November 2024.

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, 2 and 7 of Part 1 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, 2 and 7 of Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Act (as Amended).

Confidential report of the Group Manager Public Protection.

Donna Hall, Group Manager Public Protection, presented Members with an exempt report relating to an application for hackney carriage and private hire vehicle driver licences.

Following which, it was

RESOLVED

That the licence application be granted, as set out in the Exempt Minute.

Confidential report of the Group Manager Public Protection.

Donna Hall, Group Manager Public Protection, presented Members with an exempt report relating to a review of hackney carriage and private hire vehicle driver licences.

Following which, it was

RESOLVED:

That the decision contained within the Exempt Minute be approved.