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, Butt and Cowell.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 2 June 2011.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 2 June 2011 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report which details the outcome of an Unmet Demand Study.

Members considered a report which detailed the outcome of an Unmet Demand Study in respect of Hackney Carriages, as commissioned by Torbay Council in response to the guidance issued by the Department for Transport.  This guidance states that a quantity control study of unmet taxi demand should be undertaken every three years.  The Committee were advised that Halcrow had been employed to undertake the study.

Members paid particular attention to the wheelchair accessibility of the current fleet and whether the current Policy required updating.  Members noted the recommendation within the study suggesting a trial taxi marshal scheme, however Members did not wish to pursue such a trial at the present time due to the economic climate, agreeing that should Members have concerns in respect of this matter they would raise them directly with the Environmental Health Manager (Commercial).

Resolved:

That Torbay Council maintains the current quantitative limit of Hackney Carriage licences at 162 full time licences, with seven summer only licences.

To consider a report that informs Members of the decisions taken in relation to Licensing Act 2003 applications by the Executive Head Community Safety under delegated powers.

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 her delegated powers.  Members were informed that the Licensing Policy required the decisions made under delegated powers to be reported to the Committee on a regular basis.

Members noted the number of applications dealt with and the number of Review Hearings which had been held in the period between 1 April 2011 and 30 September 2011.  The Environmental Health Manager (Commercial) advised Members that two of the premises which were subject to a Review Hearing appealed to the Magistrates’ Court. Following extensive negotiations, the outcome of these Appelas were by way of a Consent Order which imposed extensive conditions upon the Premises  He further expressed his thanks to the Council’s Senior Lawyer and the Police Licensing Team for their hard work and support during the appeal process.

The Chairman congratulated the Committee and Officers of the Council for the part they played in Torquay being awarded a Purple Flag which recognises Torquay as a safe and enjoyable place to have a night out.  He also congratulated the Cary Arms in Babbacombe for being ‘one of the fifty best beach bars in the world’ chosen by CNN.

To consider a report that informs Members of the decisions taken in relation to Gambling Act 2005 applications in Torbay by the Executive Head Community Safety under delegated powers.

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