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Lewes and Eastbourne
Councils

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Remote meeting (via Microsoft Teams)

Contact: Committee Services on 01273 471600 

Note: This meeting will be held remotely using Microsoft Teams. Use the link below to view the meeting. Alternatively to listen in ring: +44 20 3855 5316. Enter Conference ID: 884 598 716# (You will be muted when you join to watch the live event and must remain so for the duration of the meeting.)  

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Introductions

Minutes:

The Chair introduced members of the Committee via roll call, and those officers present during the remote meeting.

2.

Apologies for absence/declaration of substitute members

Minutes:

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Keira Rigden.

3.

Declarations of interest

Disclosure by councillors of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the councillor regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

Minutes:

There were none.

4.

Election of Vice-Chair

To elect a Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the remainder of the 2020/2021 municipal year.

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

That Councillor Christine Robinson be elected Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee for the remainder of the 2020/2021 municipal year.

5.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 152 KB

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 September 2019 (attached herewith).

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2019 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

6.

Written questions from councillors

To deal with written questions from councillors pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.3 (page D8 of the Constitution).

Minutes:

There were none.

7.

Dual Taxi and Private Hire Driver Licence pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Report of Director of Service Delivery

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report which asked Members to review the consultation responses in relation to the Dual Taxi and Private Hire Driver Licence, and to consider the approval of the introduction of Dual Drivers Licences throughout Lewes District.

 

Currently Lewes District Council offered Hackney Carriage, Private Hire, Restricted Private Hire and Dual Driver licences. Restricted Private Hire licences allowed the driver to undertake school contract service but they were not permitted to do other private hire work within the District.

 

The Functional Lead for Quality Environment (“FLQE”) reminded the Committee that it had approved new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Guidance at its previous meeting on 19 September 2019, but had requested that Officers undertake further consultation with regards to the implementation of Dual Driver Licences.

 

The consultation took place from 10 February 2020 and concluded on 3 April 2020. The consultation asked a number of questions but also invited general feedback from members of the public and taxi trade. The consultation concerned the implementation of Dual Driver Licences, which would replace the current separate Private Hire and Hackney Drivers Licences. Restricted Private Hire Licences would continue in relation to school contract work. The issues included whether new Dual Drivers Licences should be issued as standard, and whether existing licensed drivers could apply for a new dual licence if they wish to do so.

 

The FLQE detailed the consultation process and its findings as set out in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.12 of the report. He also highlighted an error in the report, noting that the first line of paragraph 2.3 should indicate 148 consultation responses received, not 138 as printed.

 

Discussions included:

 

·         Whether or not the current Hackney Carriage knowledge tests would be the same as the new ones. The FLQE indicated that the new tests would require a higher level of awareness by applicants regarding points of interests within the District, with different sections of the knowledge tests covering various routes and which routes would be the most appropriate to take from point A to point B, whereas Private Hire tests only had one section requiring applicants to be knowledgeable of only the main routes.

 

·         That residents of the District appeared to be in favour of the Dual Drivers licences. The Committee noted that this was an encouraging response.

·         Whether Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Licence holders could continue with single licence and for how long, before they would be required to hold a Dual Licence. The FLQE clarified that as long as the existing drivers continued to renew their licences, passed the necessary checks and paid the appropriate fee, they could continue to hold a single licence. He further clarified that the intention was not to force a Dual Licence upon current Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Licence holders within Lewes District.

 

·         Whether or not current Private Hire or Hackney Carriage Licence holders would be required to undertake the equalities and disabilities training even if they had already undertaken the higher standard knowledge test? The FLQE confirmed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Street Trading Guidance Review pdf icon PDF 118 KB

Report of Director of Service Delivery

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report which detailed the findings of the Street Trading Guidance consultation.  It requested that Members agree the final Street Trading Guidance document to be formally adopted at a date to be agreed by the Council’s Environmental Health and Licensing Senior Specialist Advisor in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, and for the Committee to be informed of the date once decided.  .

 

The FLQE highlighted that the Committee had previously agreed the Street Trading Guidance together with an application process and conditions for Lewes District Council in May 2014. The Guidance was reviewed in March 2015. In addition, the Council had committed to reviewing the Street Trading Guidance when required and at a minimum once every 5 years.

 

The FLQE explained that there had been an increase in the use of the Lewes pedestrian precinct by individual stalls and markets, which had caused friction with existing business premises. Feedback had been received regarding the use of the precinct including concern about the intensification in the use of its use and the appearance of stalls and seating. The Committee had considered a draft Street Trading Guidance on 14 February 2019 and agreed for this document to go out for consultation. The FLQE detailed the results of the consultation process in paragraphs 2.1 to 2.2 of the report. The FLQE referred to the summary of the consultation responses as set out in paragraphs 3.2 to 3.17 of the report.

 

Discussion included:

 

·         If the Council had the power to ask traders to move A boards if they were blocking foot paths. The FLQE clarified that it was within the Council’s remit to ask traders to move A boards if they were blocking footpaths but only within Newhaven and Lewes precincts. Anything outside of these areas was within the remit of East Sussex County Council.

·         Clarity surrounding the Public Liability Insurance Guidance minimum value of £2m as detailed in paragraph 17 of Appendix 2, as other reports had indicated the figure was £5m. The FLQE confirmed that he would consult the Council’s Insurance Officer to confirm the correct amount.

·         The safety surrounding how the stalls were secured. The FLQE confirmed that the majority of the stalls were secured with weights and had a maximum wind rating speed for when they could be in place.

 

Resolved:

 

1)    That the consultation responses received as set out in Appendix 1 be noted;

2)    That in relation to the substantive issues arising from the consultation process, referred to in paragraphs 3.2 to 3.18 of the report, it was agreed that:

 

·         That the first option in paragraph 3.11 of the report approved, as set out in paragraph 5 on page 24 of Appendix 2;

·         That the increase in fees in relation to cleaning not be charged, as set out in paragraph 3.12;

·         That no dress code be required for street traders, as set out in paragraph 3.13;

·         That no additional restrictions be included, as set out in paragraph 3.14;

·         That vehicles not be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Date of next meeting

To note that the next meeting of the Licensing Committee which is scheduled to commence at 10:00am on Thursday, 24 September 2020, will take place in a virtual capacity, via Microsoft Teams, and in accordance with section 78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and section 13 of the related regulations.

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

That the next meeting of the Licensing Committee which is scheduled to commence at 10:00am on Thursday, 24 September 2020, in a virtual capacity, via Microsoft Teams, and in accordance with section 78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and section 13 of the related regulations, be noted.