Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 July 2022.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 July 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive communications from the Chair.

The Chair advised that a further meeting of the Taxi & General Licensing Committee would be convened on Tuesday 24 January 2023 in order to consider the delegation of additional powers from the committee to officers, and to consider the draft Street Trading policy.

Report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory Services

Purpose of Report

To seek approval of the draft West Northamptonshire Council Private Hire Vehicle and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy prior to public and stakeholder consultation.

Recommendations

1.1      Approve the draft West Northamptonshire Council Private Vehicle Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy (“the draft Policy”) at Appendix A for consultation with the public and stakeholders,

1.2       Delegate authority to the Assistant Director - Regulatory Services to consider responses and, if thought necessary, amend the draft Policy in consultation with the chairperson of the Taxi and Gambling Licensing Committee and

1.3       Delegate authority to the Assistant Director - Regulatory Services to make minor amendments to the Policy once made and if required.

The Committee considered a report from the Assistant Director – Regulatory Services which sought approval of the draft West Northamptonshire Council Private Hire Vehicle and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy prior to public and stakeholder consultation.

In introducing the report, the Licensing and Environmental Support Service Manager explained that the new draft Policy was intended to replace the current and still in force Northampton Borough, Daventry District and South Northamptonshire District Council policies and includes a number of updates and improvements with a clear policy statement.

In response to questions from the Committee regarding how the policy would be applied, the Licensing and Environmental Support Services Manager explained that the policy would apply retrospectively to all current licence holders and all new applicants, with the intention of increasing standards and therefore public safety.

Resolved

(1)  That the draft West Northamptonshire Council Private Vehicle Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy be approved for consultation with the public and stakeholders.

(2)  That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Regulatory Services to consider any responses and, if necessary, amend the draft policy in consultation with the Chair of the Taxi & General Licensing Committee.

(3)  That authority be further delegated to the Assistant Director – Regulatory Services to make minor amendments to the policy once made, if required.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any items of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.