Agenda item

Report of Director of Service Delivery

The Committee considered the report which sought its recommendation to Full Council that the licensing fees set out in the appendix to the report  be applied from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

An amendment was tabled in relation to paragraph 2.5 of the report. The date of the indicative income forecast was corrected from ‘2022/2023’ to ‘2023/2024’, and the additional income forecast for 2023/24 was corrected from £117,125 to £117,000.  A copy of the amended table was circulated at the meeting.

The Regulatory Services Lead (RSL) presented the report highlighting the fees proposed for the year, including the recommended changes to the Licensing fees in relation to post pandemic growth areas for pavement licencing fees, and piercing and tattooing licensing fee.

Members’ questions included:

• Were there different Pavement Licences fees depending on the number of tables outside a premises? Officers advised that Officer time was charged at the same rate to consider an application regardless of the number of tables.
• How did the figures equate between the table in paragraph 2.5 (amended) and Appendix 1?  What was the reason for the proposed increase and where would the money come from to cover the deficit?Officers advised that the table of fees at paragraph 2.5 reflected the income forecast of estimated fees and did not take into account the actual proposed fees at Appendix 1.  There was an increase in some fees to meet inflation, service demand and staff resources to administer applications. Furthermore, there had been a number of changes that had affected the taxi licensing fees from the HMRC and the Department of Transport.
• Feedback from the trade was that they did not want the fee increase. Officers advised that during the pandemic the Council had assisted the trade to help restrict costs and the fee increases were required to balance the books.
• Did the  Personal Licence include more than the 4 categories listed: acupuncture, tattooing, ear piercing and electrolysis? Officers confirmed the categories were covered by legislation and that a Business Premises Licence would also be required for those working at home.  Both the Personal and Business Premises Licences would require a one-off fee that did not need to be renewed. An administration fee would only apply to a Personal Licence if there was a change of staff.
• Was  an increase in the number of taxi licences anticipated or were  the figures based on the current number of licences?  Officers confirmed the figures were based on the current number of taxi licenses.
• Did Officers hold up to date figures on the number of private hire vehicles in Eastbourne, and how did they compare to pre-pandemic levels?  Officers confirmed the numbers of vehicles had not reduced significantly. Post-pandemic, the trade were selective on whether they wished to operate full or part time. The challenges with vehicle availability at peak times were reflected across the country.

Councillor Swansborough proposed a motion to agree the officer recommendations listed in the report.  This was seconded by Councillor Parker.

Resolved  (by 9 votes to 0 against, with 1 abstention) 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 2023.