Licensing Committee Minutes: 2 August 2010

Present:

Lic/1/8/10 Apologies for Absence

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs J Raine. Councillor Mrs A D Richardson attended in her place.

Lic/2/8/10 Appointment of Vice Chairman

Nomination by M Eyles
Seconded by R Burgin

And RESOLVED that Councillor G Savage be appointed as Vice Chairman of Licensing Committee for the 2010/2011 municipal year.

Lic/3/8/10 Declarations of Interest

Councillors G Savage, R Burgin and M Temple declared personal non prejudicial interests in the item for consideration in that they had known the applicant for a number of years.

Lic/4/8/10 Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Policy Amendment

The Committee considered report CLS42/10 of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services which requested Members to consider whether a deviation from normal policy was acceptable in the circumstances of an application which had been received.

The application related to a three seater Boom motor trike which the applicant intended to use to take two passengers at a time on sight-seeing tours. The Council's private hire/hackney carriage licensing policy would exclude such a vehicle as it required certain conditions which could not be met due to the nature of the vehicle, for example the requirement to have four doors and the requirement to carry a spare wheel.

The Licensing Officer addressed the Committee and was questioned by Members

The applicant had provided a written submission to the Committee, was present at the meeting and was questioned by Members.

RESOLVED that, in relation to three seater Boom motor trikes the Council's current private hire/hackney carriage licensing policy be waived subject to the following conditions:

1. Crash helmets shall be a mandatory requirement for the driver and passengers of the vehicle at all times;
2. The crash helmets and suitable protective clothing shall be available to passengers who have hired the vehicle, free of charge;
3. The manufacturer's factory fitted restraint bar shall be used by passengers at all times;
4. Children under the age of 11 years will not be permitted to travel on the vehicle unless accompanied by an adult;
5. The private hire vehicle identification disc shall be displayed at the front of the vehicle;
6. All other standard conditions must be observed in relation to vehicle specification and testing policy.

Reasons for decision

To enable the licensing of such vehicles for private hire use whilst ensuring that members of the public are transported safely in appropriate vehicles.

Other options considered

To refuse the request

Lic/5/8/10 Kendall Calling - Committee Members Visit

The Chairman reported that he and Councillors Savage and Temple had made a visit to the Kendal Calling music festival held at Lowther Deer Park, Hackthorpe on 31 July 2010.The group had been impressed by the security arrangements and the attitudes of the organisers toward drinking and drug use. There had been a disruption to the water supply but this had only affected the staff toilets and other facilities remained available on site. Extra screening was suggested for some of the facilities.

The Chairman noted the small number of complaints which had been received regarding noise and the relatively small number of arrests that had been made when compared to the numbers attending. There had been an increase in custom for several local businesses including hotels, taxis and shops. The event had promoted the area with many of those attending the event having travelled from outside Cumbria. The Chairman also noted that a number of tents had been left behind at the end of the weekend and these had been donated by the organisers to local charities and community groups.

The Chairman requested that the Licensing Officer pass on these comments to the organisers.

Lic/6/8/10 Date of Next Scheduled Meeting

The next scheduled meeting of the Licensing Committee will be held on 1 September 2010.

The meeting closed at 10.35am