To elect a Chairman/woman for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year.

Councillor Thomas (J) was elected Chairman for the Municipal Year 2016/2017 in his absence.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman/woman for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year.

Councillor Doggett was appointed Vice-Chairman for the 2016/2017 Municipal Year, and chaired the meeting in Councillor Thomas’ (J) absence.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Darling (M) and Pentney.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 18 February 2016.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 18 February 2016 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 July 2016.

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

Members noted a report that informs Members of the decisions taken in relation to Licensing Act 2003 applications by the Assistant Director of Community and Customer Services under delegated powers. 

The report also informed members of Torbay Council’s response to the Governments Personal Licences consultation.  Members sought clarification from the Principal Safety and Licensing Officer as to whether any increases in fees would be ring fenced for use by Licensing or placed in the Council’s wider general fund.

To note a report of decisions made by officers under delegated powers in respect of the Gambling Act 2005.

Members noted the 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.  Members sought further information from the Principal Safety and Licensing Officer as to the number of fixed odd betting terminals in the Bay.

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 that sought to establish a Licensing Sub-Committee to deal with all matters in connection with licensing applications.

Resolved:

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

iii)     that the Licensing Sub-Committee be exempted 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 be authorised to empanel Members from the Licensing Committee to serve on the Licensing Sub-Committee as and when required.