Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - South Cambs Hall. View directions

Contact: Aaron Clarke  01954 713000 Email: democratic.services@scambs.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

2.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 121 KB

To authorise the Chair to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on Friday 07 September 2021 as a correct record.

Minutes:

Cllr Bill Handley had been listed as being absent, when he was present at the meeting. With this alteration, the Licensing Committee authorised the Chair to sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held Tuesday 7 September 2021.

3.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy pdf icon PDF 224 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Principal Licensing Officer introduced the item. Panther Taxis thanked the council for considering the trade during its proposals and the effects of the global pandemic on drivers’ ability to purchase new vehicles.

 

The Committee noted the representation from Panther Taxis that many diesels have selective catalytic reduction technology, which brings the emissions ratings of diesel vehicles more in line with petrol vehicles. It was further remarked that by banning the purchase of diesels across the board, there was a potential for inadvertently denying drivers a chance to buy plug-in diesel hybrids. However, Cllr Hunt explained to the Committee that plug-in hybrids revert to their diesel engine after 45-50 miles without charging, so are not as low on emissions as they may appear. The Committee further noted that the emissions can be worse than diesel standard cars because a plug-in hybrid has a heavy battery that increases fuel consumption and emissions.

 

It was remarked that due to the covid pandemic, taxi drivers had been operating on extremely low incomes, and that although it would have been reasonable under normal circumstances to have expected drivers to purchase new hybrids, given the circumstances an alteration of the policy to allow older vehicles would provide the drivers an opportunity to recoup their earnings and increase the green fleet.

 

The Committee noted that South Cambridgeshire District Council had tried to align its policies with Cambridge City Council to ensure that drivers working across both authorities had a uniform set of conditions to abide by, and it was agreed that this would be continued where possible, but that flexibility was required.

 

Existing Policy Vehicle Restrictions

 

Cllr Deborah Roberts proposed the following policy alterations, which were seconded by Cllr Mark Howell:

 

  • A new petrol vehicle will only be granted a licence if it is under 4 years old until 1 December 2023.

This was unanimously agreed by the Committee.

  • A new diesel engine vehicle will only be granted a new licence if it is under 4 years old and wheelchair accessible until 1 December 2023.

This was unanimously agreed by the Committee.

  • A new hybrid vehicle will only be granted if it is under 4 years old until 1 December 2023.

This was agreed by the Committee, Cllr Peter McDonald abstained.

 

The following items were agreed by the Licensing Committee unanimously.

 

Existing Policy Safeguarding

Current Policy/Matter for Consideration

Decision of the Committee

Existing drivers, operators and vehicle proprietors must undertake safeguarding course within 12 months of Policy, and on renewal with the pass date no later than 3 months prior to renewal.

.

 

Agreed that:

All existing drivers, vehicle proprietors and operators to undertake a safeguarding course within 12 months, and all new applicants prior to licensing. A refresher course may be required.

 

Proposal -  Policy Driving Experience 2.4

To increase Minimum driving licence of 12 months to 3 years to enhance customer safety. (remove condition 2.4 d) and amend 2.9 a) accordingly).

 

Agreed that the condition should read:

2.4d) An applicant (for a Private  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Street Trading Policy pdf icon PDF 218 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Principal Licensing Officer introduced the item, it was explained that Counsel opinion had not been received regarding the introduction of the ‘Host Premises Consent’ by the time of the meeting. It was seen that there was no reason to delay the consultation to wait for counsel’s opinion as there was no decision being made and that the Counsel would be considered along with any consultation responses. It was noted that the purpose of the policy was to standardise the process for street trading across the district.

 

It was explained that the ‘Host Premises Consent’ would mean that premises such as a pub or carpark could apply to be designated as a ‘Host Premise’. Any trader would then obtain a licence from South Cambs District Council to trade at any of these locations.

 

The Licensing Committee resolved by affirmation to:

·       Adopt Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (“The Act”) for the whole of the South Cambridgeshire District and designate all roads and streets within the District as Consent Streets (with the exception of the A11 and A14) to take effect from 1 March 2022.

·       Recommend that the draft Street Trading Policy be circulated for public consultation, with this Committee approving the final Policy after the consultation exercise.