To elect a Chairman/woman for the 2013/14 Municipal Year.

Councillor Addis was elected Chairman for the 2013/2014 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 Butt, Cowell, Ellery and Bent.

To elect a Vice-Chairman/woman for the 2013/14 Municipal Year.

Councillor Pentney was elected Vice-Chairwoman for the 2013/2014 Municipal Year.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of this Committee held on 31 January 2013.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 31 January 2013 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered a report as requested from the Torbay Licensed Taxi Association to increase the applicable fare tariff in respect of all Hackney Carriages in Torbay.

Resolved:

(i)            that the appropriate Public Notices be placed to advertise the requested increase in the Hackney Carriage Fare Scale, as set out in the email from the Torbay Licensed Taxi Association set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report;

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

(iii)         in the event that no objections are received, the new tariff would take effect from the 15 July 2013.

A report advising member on the delegated decisions made by officers under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Committee noted the report which set out the details of the decisions taken by the Executive Head, Community Safety, in relation to the Licensing Act 2003 applications, using delegated powers. 

Members noted the report which set out the details of the decisions taken in relation to the Gambling Act 2005, taken by the Executive Head, Community Safety, in relation to the Gambling Act 2005 applications, using their delegated powers.

To consider a report that seeks to establish a Licensing Sub-Committee to deal with all matters in connection with licensing applications.

The Committee considered a report in relation to the establishment of a Licensing Sub-Committee which would be able to deal with all matters in connection with licensing application.  It was noted that the Licensing Act 2003 provided for the establishment of one or more sub-committees (Section 9 (1)), consisting of 3 members of the Committee.

Resolved:

(i)         that a sub-committee of the Licensing Committee be established to comprise of three Members of the Licensing Committee;

(ii)        that the terms of reference of the sub-committee be to consider and determine all matters in connection with licensing applications (including those set out in the Statement of Licensing Policy and Gambling Act Policy/Statement of Principles) and the Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Policy; and

(iii)       that the Licensing Sub-Committee be exempt from the rules of Committee proportionality, as defined in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and supporting regulations; and

(iv)       that the Governance Support Manager (in consultation with the Chairman), be authorised to empanel Members of the Licensing Committee to serve on the Licensing Sub-Committee as and when required.