Minutes of Public Protection Sub-Committee Meeting - 11Th February 2010

MINUTES OF PUBLIC PROTECTION SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING - 11TH FEBRUARY 2010

Present:

Councillor Mitchell (in the Chair)

Councillors

In attendance:

Mrs S Davies, Mr E Rhodes and Mrs P Higson, Business Services Department

Apologies:

Councillor Collins MBE JP

1. EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

Resolved: That under Section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the whole item, including the decisions referred to at Agenda items3 and 4on the grounds that it would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

CouncillorMrs Holtdeclared a prejudicial interest in item4 on the agenda, Private Hire Vehicle Drivers Licence in respect of BMc. The nature of the interest being that the driver was very well known to her.

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17TH DECEMBER 2009

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 17th December 2009, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

4. HACKNEY CARRIAGE DRIVERS LICENCE

The Sub-Committee was informedof two existing Hackney Carriage Drivers, two Drivers andProprietors, two Proprietorsand two new applications for a Hackney Carriage Drivers Licence that had given sufficient cause for concern as to be referred to the Sub-Committee for its consideration.

JP accompanied by Legal Representative, Mr Charnley, RAW, PWS, Representative for FPL and RAW were in attendance at the meeting.

Resolved:

1. That the cases in respect of PM, JC andPJH be heard in their absence.

2. That in the case of JP the application for a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be granted.

3. That it be noted that in the case in respect of PM the application for a Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence had been withdrawn.

4. That the cases in respect of PWS and JC be heard together with PWS being authorised to speak on behalf of JC, and that the following conditions be imposed on the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence:

1. The Licence holder or a qualified mechanic to physically inspect the vehicle
weekly
2. The vehicle to be serviced every 5,000 miles
3. Legible maintenance records to be kept and retained for 2 years
4.Maintenance records to be produced on demand to Police or Council Officers

5. That in the case of FPL the following conditions be imposed on all the Hackney Carriage Vehicles Licences held in their name:

1. The Licence holder or a qualified mechanic to physically inspect the vehicle
weekly
2. The vehicle to be serviced every 5,000 miles
3. Legible maintenance records to be kept and retained for 2 years
4.Maintenance records to be produced on demand to Police or Council Officers

6. That having due regard to the Human Rights Act 1998 the licence in respect of DWT be suspended for a period of 7 days and that in accordance with Section 52 of the Road Safety Act 2006, thesuspension to take place with immediate effect in the interest of public safety.

7. That in the case of RAW a severe warning letter be issued indicating that in the event of further offences the licence may be suspended or revoked, and officers be requested to ensure that the regulatory Customer Care Course be undertaken at the earliest opportunity.

8. That in the case of PJH, in knowledge that the Principal Solicitor(Licensing) had had cause to suspend the licence under delegated powers, the Hackney Carriage Driver’s Licence be suspended pending production of a valid driving licence in respect of PJH.

Background Papers: Exempt

5. PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE DRIVERS LICENCE

The Sub-Committee was informed of two existing Private Hire Vehicle Drivers and two new applications for Hackney Carriage Drivers Licences that had given sufficient cause for concern as to be referred to the Sub-Committee for its consideration.

All drivers and applicants were in attendance at the meeting.

Resolved:

1. That in the case of GMW consideration of the application be deferred to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee to enable all accurate historical information relating to previous applications tobe made available, with delegation in the meantimeto the Principal Solicitor (Licensing) to grant the licence ifit transpires that there is no impediment and anymedical issues have been resolved.

2. That in the case of TNW the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be granted and a warning letter be sent indicating that in the event of further offences the licence may be suspended or revoked.

3. That in the case of BMc having due regard to the Human Rights Act1998, the Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence be suspended with immediate effect, in accordance with Section 52 of the Road Safety Act 2006 until review by the Sub-Committee at the next meeting on 11th March 2010, with delegation granted to the Principal Solicitor (Licensing) to reinstate the licence prior to that datein theevent of the production of medical evidence from their GP, to confirm the driver’s fitness to drive.

4. That in the case of SLB a severe warning letter be sent indicating that in the event of further offences the licence may be suspended or revoked.

Background Papers: Exempt

NOTE: Councillor Mrs Holt having declared a prejudicial interest left the meeting during consideration of the case in respect of BMc as they were well known to her.

6. DRAFT HORSE-DRAWN HACKNEY CARRIAGE POLICY

The Sub-Committee was reminded that at its meeting on 22nd October 2009 it had determined that a full and thorough consultation take place on all aspects of horse-drawn carriage work on the Promenade. Members were asked to approve the subsequently prepared, draft policy document for a consultation to take place with a wide range of interested parties over a 12 week period.

Mrs Metcalf, on behalf of the Blackpool Landau Owners Association, was in attendance at the meeting and reported satisfaction with the proposed consultation period.

Resolved:

To note and approve the contents of the draft policy and authorise a 12 week period of consultation to take place, with a meeting tobe heldbetween Councillors and interested parties within the consultation period, to enable views to be heard.

Background Papers: None

7. TAXI NEEDS SURVEY

Members were reminded of the need to undertake a taxi unmet demand survey at least every three years to comply with Department for Transport requirements. The 2006 Survey had been considered by the Sub-Committee in February 2007 and currently numbers were restricted to 256 mechanised and 44 horse-drawn vehicle licences.

The latest survey, copies of which had been circulated to Members,had been conducted during October 2009and concluded that:

There was no unmet taxi demand in Blackpool
That taxi passenger waiting times had dropped to practically nil.
That there had been a dramatic reduction in town centre hackney ranks due to redevelopment.
That the number of licences issued should continue to be restricted to 256 mechanised and 44 horse-drawn vehicles.

Resolved:

1. To note the contents of the Halcrow Group report and to endorse the conclusion that there is no unmet taxi demand in Blackpool.

2. That the number of licences issuedcontinue to be restricted to 256 mechanised and 44 horse-drawn vehicles.

3. That the Highways Department be encouraged to review the Hackney taxi rank distribution in view of the redevelopment of the town centre.

Background Papers: None

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING - 11TH MARCH 2010

Members noted that the next meeting of the Sub-Committee would take place on 11th March 2010.

Chairman

(The meeting ended at 1:00 pm)

Any queries regarding these minutes, please contact:

Pauline Higson,Democratic Services Senior Adviser

Tel:(01253) 477157

E-mail: