Agenda item

Report of the Head of Community and Customer Services

The Committee received a report of the Head of Community and Customer Services seeking the Committee's approval to charge fees for the 2015/16 financial year for some of the different licensing regimes administered by the Council.

The Licensing Manager introduced the report.  He highlighted that there were generally few changes to the fees charged.  The change to the cost of magnetic door signs reflected the increase in cost of purchasing the signs for the Council.  The report also asked the Committee to delegate authority to alter the cost of certain services and equipment in line with the suppliers' charges.

A further proposal was to give a 50% discount in the cost of a licence to drivers of electric cars.  The Committee was informed that this would only apply to cars which were fully electric rather than hybrids.

The Committee was informed that an earlier draft of the fees and charges scheme had been included on the agenda in error.  Members were updated on the changes to note and the correct version of the scheme would be appended to these minutes.  Officers apologised for this oversight.

ACTION - The Committee and Scrutiny Support Officer to circulate the updated scheme of fees and charges.

Councillor I Brown asked whether officers had any indication of what the outcome to the case of Hemming and Others v Westminster City Council might be and the figures which could potentially be involved.  The Licensing Manager said there was no information available about the outcome of the case and he gave details of the issue involved.  He did not anticipate that it would lead to a decrease in the level of fees currently set by the Council but certain fees could potentially be increased.

Councillor S Williams referred to the proposal relating to electric cars and asked about potential locations and costs of charging points.  He added that he was not happy with the proposed increase to the cost of magnetic door signs.  The Licensing Manager responded that the Committee would be kept informed of the take-up of the discount for electric cars.  The intention was to install charging points across the Borough for all electric vehicles, not just taxis.  It was not possible to provide details of costs as there were many variables including the location and the cost of the type of charging unit that was installed.  The Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head added that the Council had locations in mind for charging points and was putting in bids for funding to government offices and the EU as part of the cleaner air strategy.

Regarding door signs, the Licensing Manager noted that the drivers also had the option of purchasing the cheaper permanent signs.  The proposal would allow the Council to decrease the cost should a cheaper supplier be found. 

Following a question from Councillor Hofman, it was confirmed that drivers would pay the cost of the electricity.

Councillor Scudder referred to recommendation 2.2 which delegated authority to vary the charges.  He suggested that the changes be made in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee.  The Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head confirmed that this was possible.  She underlined that this delegation would only apply to charges for equipment and services procured on behalf of the drivers.

Councillor Khan noted that there was an 85% increase in the charge for magnetic door signs.  He noted that drivers had reported these needed to be replaced several times per year.  He also asked for confirmation of some of the other proposed increases.  The Licensing Manager gave an update on the figures which were as set out in the appendix to this document. 

The Chair informed the Committee that it was the drivers who had asked for the option of magnetic door signs. She suggested that the matter be raised with the drivers’ working party.

ACTION – Licensing Manager

In response to a further question from Councillor Khan, the Licensing Manager advised that the charge for magnetic signs had not increased for a number of years.  The Council had been absorbing this cost.  He added that he was not aware of cases where the signs had to be replaced several times per year.

Councillor Khan proposed that should there be an increase in fees of 10% or more, it should be referred to the Licensing Committee.  The Licensing Manager commented that in many cases there were no alternative suppliers, for example the DVLA checks.  There may, therefore, be little benefit in bringing the matter to Committee.

Councillor Derbyshire advised that he was happy for the delegation to remain in consultation with the Chair.  Councillor Scudder concurred as he felt this was a more practical solution particularly as the Committee meetings were often infrequent.

Councillor Khan reiterated his view and advised that he would like to see additional democratic oversight.

The Chair asked that the matter be put to a vote.

Councillor Khan moved that any increases in price of more than 10% be brought to the Licensing Committee.

On being put to the Committee the motion was LOST.

The Chair moved that: authority be delegated to the Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, to increase or decrease charges in respect of provision of:

• compulsory door signage for hackney carriages
• Disclosure and Barring Service, and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency checks
• licence badges and plates. 

On being put to the Committee the motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED –

1.     that the fees and charges set out in the attached document for the financial year 2015/2016 be approved.

2.     that authority be delegated to the Environmental Health and Licensing Section Head, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, to increase or decrease charges in respect of provision of:

·               compulsory door signage for hackney carriages

·               Disclosure and Barring Service, and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency checks

·               licence badges and plates.