Agenda and decisions

This is where Councillors who are attending as substitutes will say for whom they are attending.

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor C Pattison.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 1^st February 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The Councillors will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have disclosable pecuniary interests, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items, or any other interests.

No interests were declared.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

All agenda items were considered in public session.

The Committee will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No questions were asked.

The purpose of the report is to inform members of the activities undertaken to discharge the Council’s licensing functions from 1st October 2022 to 31st March 2023.

Contact:  Fiona Goldsmith, Public Protection, Group Leader, Licensing

RESOLVED – That the Licensing Services update report be noted.

For members to consider the removal of the requirement for all new hackney carriage / private hire driver applicants to complete and pass a geographical knowledge test.

Contact: Fiona Goldsmith, Public Protection, Group Leader, Licensing

RESOLVED – That the requirement to undertake and pass the local geographical knowledge test for new licensed driver applicants be removed.

The purpose of the report is to seek approval to consult on the review of the hackney carriage and private hire vehicle policy.

Contact: Fiona Goldsmith, Public Protection, Group Leader, Licensing

RESOLVED –

1)    That the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle policy review report and associated appendices be noted.

2)    That authority be given for officers to commence a 12-week consultation regarding the proposed changes to the existing vehicle specification.

3)    That a report outlining the results of the consultation be considered at a future meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee. 

4)    That the proposed consultation questions, as appended to the considered report, be agreed with an additional question proposing no age limit for vehicles.

The purpose of the report is to inform member of the results of the consultation for the proposed changes to the Council current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Fitness and Suitability Policy.

Contact:  Fiona Goldsmith, Public Protection Group Leader, Licensing

RESOLVED –

1)    That the proposed draft fitness and suitability policy as at Appendix 1 of the considered report be adopted.

2)    That authority be delegated to officers to amend the wording contained in section 10 of the proposed fitness and suitability policy to provide clarity between the reporting of civil penalty notices and fixed penalty notices.

The purpose of the report to inform Members of proposals, and to seek approval, to consult on the need for a Cumulative Impact Assessment in Huddersfield and Dewsbury town centres.

Contact: Fiona Goldsmith, Public Protection Group Leader, Licensing

RESOLVED –

1)    That there is sufficient evidence to consult on proposals to introduce a ‘Cumulative Impact Assessment’ for both Huddersfield and Dewsbury Town Centres.

2)    That authority be delegated to officers to commence formal consultation, with the results of the consultation to be presented to a future Licensing and Safety Committee meeting.