To elect a Chairman/woman for the 2019/2020 Municipal Year.

Councillor Ellery was elected Chairman for the 2019/2020 Municipal Year.

(Councillor Ellery in the Chair)

To appoint a Vice-Chairman for the 2019/2020 Municipal Year.

Councillor John Thomas was appointed Vice-Chairman for the 2019/2020 Municipal Year.

To receive any apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Amil, Cowell, Barbara Lewis, Mills, Pentney and John Thomas.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 22 November 2018.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 22 November 2018 were deferred.

To consider a report that details a request from the Torbay Licensed Taxi Association to increase the maximum fare tariff in respect of Hackney Carriages in Torbay.

Members considered a report that detailed a request from the Torbay Licensed Taxi Association to increase the applicable fare tariff in respect of all Hackney Carriages in Torbay.  Members were advised that before any change to the fare tariff could be made a public advertisement had to be placed for 14 days, should objections be received, these responses must be considered by a Licensing Sub-Committee before any increase can take effect.

Resolved:

i)       that the appropriate Public Notices are placed to advertise the requested increase in the Hackney Carriage Fare Scale, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report;

ii)      that any responses to the Public Notice be considered by a Licensing Sub-Committee; and

iii)     in the event that no objections are received, the new tariff will take effect from the 1 October 2019.

To consider a report that seeks agreement of a revised Pavement Café Policy.

Members considered a report that sought agreement of a revised Pavement Café Policy.  The Principal Licensing Officer advised Members that the Policy had been reviewed in order to improve efficiencies and to enable the Licensing Authority to improve compliance across the board.

Resolved:

That the Pavement Café Policy 2019-24, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be adopted with immediate effect.

To note a report on decision made by officers under delegated powers.

Members noted a report of decisions made by officers under delegated powers in respect of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Principal Licensing Officer drew Members attention to paragraph A4.1 of the submitted report, informing Members that the fees set by the Secretary of State under powers set out in the Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005 had not been increased since 2005 and therefore the real terms value of income received under the Act diminishes year on year through the effects of inflation resulting in a deficit for the Council.  Members agreed to lobby the Local Government Association and Torbay’s Members of Parliament to highlight the need for legislative change.

Resolved:

That, the Chairman of the Licensing Committee write to the Local Government Association and Torbay’s Members of Parliament lobbying for a review of the Licensing Fee’s.

To note a report on the decisions made by officers under delegated powers.

Members noted a report that informed Members of decisions taken in relation to Gambling Act 2005 applications by the Assistant Director of Community and Customer Services under delegated powers.