MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE LICENSING COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 2.00 PM

Present :

Mr C B W Chapman (Chairman), Mr J A Bowker, Mr J Effemey, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr A J Mundy.

Apologies :

Mrs D Gardiner, Mrs M A Jarman, Mrs J White.

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2001 be confirmed.

12. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES

(a) Code of Practice for Members and Officers Dealing with Licensing Matters

The Director advised the Committee that to assist both members and officers in making sure that the licensing process was seen to be open and transparent a Code of Practice had been drafted. This was based on that contained in the Council Constitution for the Development Control Committee.

Members noted the various aspects covered by the Code and that it could be updated to reflect changes in procedures when required.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Code of Practice be recommended to the Executive for approval.

(b) Consideration of Procedural Issues

The Committee were reminded of difficulties experienced at the 7 September 2001 with representations received in respect of applications for hackney carriage vehicle licences. This was the first occasion that this had been encountered. There was no obligation on the Council to advertise such applications.

Officers outlined the ramifications if such applications were publicly advertised. It would be possible to establish a procedure for advising the newly formed Hackney Carriage Proprietors Association thereby enabling it to make written representations. The Association would be given a limited time period in which to respond. It would also be able to appoint a spokesperson to address the Licensing Committee on such representations. Applicants would be advised accordingly.

The Chairman then raised a number of issues relating to the operation of the Committee. He indicated that there should be a limit on the number of items considered at each meeting so that it did not have to sit late into the afternoon. Members also believed that the title should be amended to Licensing Panel so to reflect its different status to that of other Council Committees in that it acted in a quasi judicial role.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL :

THAT the title of the Licensing Committee be amended to Licensing Panel.

RESOLVED :

THAT the internal procedure be revised so that the Hackney Carriage Proprietors Association is advised of applications received in respect of hackney carriage vehicle licences and able to submit representations within a set time limit and appoint a spokesperson to attend for the item involved.

CHAIRMAN