The minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd  November 2015 to be submitted and signed.

Copies of the minutes of this meeting are usually available seven working days following the meeting.

(All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2015 were submitted and signed.

No apologies were received. 

Councillors Derbyshire and Silver were absent.

None.

Report of Head of Community and Customer Services.

This report seeks the Licensing Committee’s approval to charge fees for the 2016/2017 financial year for some of the different licensing regimes administered by the council.

The Committee received a report of the Head of Community and Customer Services.  The Senior Licensing Officer explained the proposed changes to the licensing fees and charges.  He pointed out that most of the fees and charges remained unchanged, although there were some exceptions to this.  He detailed the recommendations contained in paragraph 2.2 of the report and asked that the recommendations be considered for approval so that the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing Section in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, may authorise such changes.  He fully explained how the changes to the charges reflected the cost to the Council of processing these matters. 

He then went on to address paragraph 3.5 of the report, describing in more detail how the fees reflected the change in the requirements for taxi and private hire drivers who needed to re-sit the knowledge test, as they had already successfully completed the training element. 

He also explained the changes to the pavement licences, particularly how renewal involved less work and therefore less cost, which resulted in the reduced fees.

He then spoke about the fees for sex establishments and sexual entertainment venues.  He advised that the reduction in renewal fees reflected the fact that most of the necessary work was incurred at the initial application stage.  However the increase in fees for variations to such licences was to allow full cost recovery and were reflected in the high costs, especially as a sub-committee would be required. 

He pointed out that overall there would be a £5,000 reduction in fees, but this was necessary to ensure that the Council did not over charge. 

The Senior Licensing Officer then addressed paragraph 3.8 of the report and asked that the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing be delegated immediate authority to be able to amend certain charges, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee.  He fully explained the necessity for such flexibility.

The Chair recognised Councillor Bell and explained to the committee members that he wished to ask some questions.  The committee agreed for him to speak.  The Chair advised him that once the committee had spoken he would be invited to pose his questions. 

Councillor Williams noted the 68% reduction in the permit for street trading - tables and chairs and asked for the reason.

The Senior Licensing Officer explained that this was for renewal only.  If there were no proposed changes, then the process was simplified and the Council incurred less costs. 

Councillor I Brown asked how Watford’s charges compared to other local authorities.

The Senior Licensing Officer stated that the Council operated on a cost recovery basis.  As a result the Council did not necessarily compare to other areas as this might result in the Council over or under charging for services. 

Councillor Mills noted the decrease in fees for sex establishments and  asked if the Council made a profit last year in this area. 

The Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head explained that no precise hourly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Report of Head of Community and Customer Services.

Watford Borough Council is responsible for licensing hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles and has a general duty to promote equalities.  In turn, providers of taxi and private hire vehicle services licensed by the council are under a specific duty to assist passengers with particular disabilities. 

The Committee received a report of the Head of Community and Customer Services. The Business Compliance Officer provided an interim update to the Committee as detailed within the report. 

He explained that the final recommendations would be confirmed this month and presented to the Licensing Committee on 29 February. 

Councillor Watkin stated that in a recent conversation with a wheelchair user, she had stated that she could not get a suitable cab during school times as all taxis were in use for the schools.

The Chair mentioned that she had experienced similar issues at school times and surmised that it was not just wheelchair compatible taxis that were in short supply at such times. 

The Business Compliance Officer explained that this was simply an issue of the number of vehicles available. 

Councillor Williams commented that whilst there was a good taxi service in Watford, the Council should strive for a gold standard. 

The Chair confirmed that no other members wished to ask a question or make a comment.

RESOLVED –

that the committee note the report.