Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Proposed by Cllr Jon Andrews, seconded by Cllr Cathy Lugg

Decision: that Cllr Les Fry be appointed Vice-Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2022 were confirmed and signed.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

There were no statements or questions from Town and Parish Councils or the public at the meeting.

To determine the maximum level of fares that can be charged by Hackney Carriage Proprietors in the Weymouth and Portland zone and to consider the request for a change to the times that different tariffs operate.

The Licensing Team Leader presented the report to consider an increase to the new Weymouth and Portland Hackney Zone tariff by 20p for the first mile and 10p for each subsequent mile. All proposed tariffs were set out in appendix 3 of the report. The Licensing Team Leader explained that the law specifically stated the maximum fare, but operators were at liberty to charge less if they wished.

The Chairman felt that this was a small but modest rise and totally justified, hourly rates in garages, parts, and fuel prices were all much higher.

Proposed by Cllr Jon Andrews, seconded by Les Fry

Decision:

(1) That the new tariffs for the Weymouth hackney carriage zone as set out at Appendix 3 were agreed.

(2) That the public consultation of the new tariffs in a local newspaper was authorised.

(3) That the new tariffs will come into effect on 1 July 2023 if no objections are received within the specified time limit in the consultation.

(4) That the request for a change to the times that different tariffs operate would be considered.

To meet the requirements of the Constitution, at the first meeting of the Licensing Committee after each Annual Council the Committee is required to review and appoint such sub-committees as it considers appropriate for the effective operation of the Council’s licensing duties. In addition it is recommended that new delegations are put in place to allow for the efficient and effective running of the service in relation to sexual entertainment licences, Temporary Event Notices and private hire vehicle plate exemptions.

The technical report was presented by the Licensing Team Leader to agree various delegations to officers and appointments to sub-committees.

The report suggested that sexual entertainment licences be delegated to sub-committees rather than a full committee. Delegation to officers for Temporary Event Notices where conditions had been agreed between applicants and objectors, negating the need for a sub-committee to convene. Also for plate exemptions to be officially delegated to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee.

Proposed by Cllr Susan Cocking, seconded by Cllr Sarah Williams

Decision:

(1) That in relation to Licensing & Gambling functions of the Council; the delegation of powers to its sub-committees and officers as set out in the report and at Appendix 1 was approved.

(2) That five sub-committees consisting of three councillors each for consideration of matters relating to the Licensing Act 2003, Gambling Act 2005 and to undertake functions in relation to other licensing matters including hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, drivers and operator licences were appointed.

(3) That the power to determine applications for sexual entertainment licences that attract objections be granted to the Licensing Sub-Committee.

(4) That delegation was granted to the Executive Director of Place, to issue a Notice (Statement of Conditions) in circumstances where the Police or the Council’s Environmental Protection Team have submitted an objection to a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) requesting that conditions from the Premises Licence for the venue be added to the TEN and the applicant for the TEN agrees to those conditions being added to the TEN.

(5) That delegation was granted to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee, the power to determine applications for plate exemptions to private hire proprietors.

To approve an amendment to the conditions attached to a specific Boat Licence in the Purbeck area to extend the time it can be operated in line with the lease from Dorset Council.

The report was presented by the Licensing Team Leader, who explained that there were only a few Boat Licenses in specific areas. Licensing Officers had been looking to regulate Wareham Boats Ltd’s position and give them permission to operate in line with their lease. The report also recommended delegation to officers for any future amendments required. just until the process of putting a new policy together with a standard set of conditions was completed.

In correcting recommendation (2) the Licensing Team Leader advised that any future amendments to Boat Licence conditions should be delegated to the Executive Director of Place not the Service Manager

Proposed by Cllr Sarah Williams, seconded by Cllr David Morgan.

Decision:

(1) That Wareham Boats Ltd to operate in line with their lease was approved.

(2) That any future amendments to Boat Licence conditions be delegated to the Executive Director of Place.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There was no exempt business.