Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S J Burwood, S J N Morgan and E L Stephens.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 July 2024, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 July 2024 be approved and confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registrable interests and Non-Registrable Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraph 9 and Appendix B of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

There were none.

To receive the views of members of the public, of which prior notification in writing has been received (no later than noon on the working day before the day of the meeting).

Should you wish to submit a question please complete the online form at:www.maldon.gov.uk/publicparticipation.

There was none.

To resolve that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that this satisfies the public interest test.

RESOLVED that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that this satisfies the public interest test.

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive presenting a proposal to remove an element from the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.

It was noted that in January 2024 the Licensing Team received a request from a local taxi operator to remove a specific element from part of the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy. A copy of the request was attached as Appendix A to the report.

Following a presentation of the report by the Licensing Lead Officer and in response to questions raised, he advised Members of other authorities in the local area that had removed the element in question from their Licensing Policy. It was confirmed that no other representation had been received from other taxi firms within the District.

Councillor J C Stilts proposed that the Committee accept Option 2 as set out in the report. This was duly seconded and agreed. It was further proposed and agreed that the mandatory one-year wait for those who had previously failed the removed element be removed from the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.

RESOLVED that the element referred to in the report be removed from the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy along with the mandatory one-year wait for those who had previously failed the removed element.