Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2024 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.  

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Kathy Ballard, Colin Belsey, Andy Collins, Anita Mayes and Robin Maxted. 

There were none. 

On matters not already included on the agenda and for which prior written notice has been given (total time allowed 15 minutes).

There were none. 

The Chair to notify the Committee of any items of urgent business to be added to the agenda. 

There were none. 

The Chair to report any requests received to address the Committee from a member of the public or from a Councillor in respect of an item listed below and to invite the Committee to consider taking such items at the commencement of the meeting.

One spokesperson is permitted to speak for 3 minutes and must register by 12noon on Thursday, 23^rd January. Email: committees@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

Note: Normally only one speaker is allowed to address the Committee on an item for three minutes and that one person should act as spokesperson for the group. No more than one speaker can be allowed except in exceptional circumstances with prior agreement of the Chair at the registration deadline.

There were none. 

Report of the Chief Executive

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive which sought its recommendation to Full Council that the licensing fees set out in the appendix to the report be applied from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Jo Dunk, the Regulatory Service Lead (RSL) presented the report highlighting the fees proposed for the year. Rebecca Wynn, the Lead for Regulatory Services (LRS) detailed the fees for Houses in Multiple Occupation.  Nina Lavelle (Finance Business Partner) attended in support. 

Members considered the report and queried the reasons for the increase in fees. The RSL explained this was to meet increasing service costs and to balance the budget.

Councillor Parker put forward a proposal to agree the officer recommendations as listed in the report.  This was seconded by Councillor Lamb.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously) that:

1)    That Full Council be recommended to approve the Licensing Fees as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, to apply from 1 April 2025.

Report of the Chief Executive

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive which sought to consider if an Unmet Demand Survey should be undertaken. If  the survey was agreed, the Committee should specify whether it should be conducted for the Hackney Trade only, or both Hackney and Private Hire Trade, and authorise the Senior Specialist Advisor to commence the survey and report back to the Committee on the results.

The Regulatory Service Lead (RSL) presented the report highlighting the benefits of the survey.

Members queried the cost implications of the proposals. The RSL explained the survey had been requested by the trade, who would cover the fees, and it would be outsourced to a third party company to administer. It was noted that there would be a slight reduction in the overall cost of the survey if private hire vehicles were not included in the survey.

Councillor Goodyear put forward a proposal to undertake an Unmet Demand Survey as per the officer recommendations as listed in the report.  This was seconded by Councillor Lamb.

RESOLVED: (by 3 votes for to 3 votes against) and on the Chair’s casting vote against, that:

1)    The Unmet Demand Survey should not be undertaken.

Any additional meetings of the Committee would be scheduled as and when required. 

The date of the next scheduled meeting would be confirmed as part of the Calendar of Meetings for 2025/26.  However, any additional meetings of the Committee would be scheduled as and when required.