Decision details

Cllr Tungate introduced the report and moved the recommendations from the General Purposes and Licensing Committee meeting held on 10 January 2025.  Cllr Young seconded the motion.

Cllr Millar proposed an amendment, specifically in respect of Pavement Licence Renewal Applications, to reduce the £250 charge in the recommendations, to £50.  Cllr Harrison seconded the amendment.

Members speaking for the amendment highlighted the debate at the General Purposes and Licensing Committee which considered an amendment to remove the charge altogether.  The support provided to local businesses during the pandemic was highlighted, and how it had worked well to ensure the viability of a number of local enterprises.  The small number of businesses operating with these licences was noted, alongside the concern of some Members that the overall costs being faced by businesses, such as national insurance rises, presented real difficulty.

Members speaking against the amendment referred to the framework that a licence provided with a cost recovery charge, to ensure the terms of such a licence were upheld.  There were some concerns about waiving costs in one specific area, and how fair this might be considered by those seeking other licensable activities from the Council.

Put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the proposed fees and charges for the financial year 2025–26 as set out in Appendix 1 be approved; and

2.     That the power to set the scale of fees and charges for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licences, including to consider any objections made in respect of the proposed fees, be delegated to the General Purposes and Licensing Committee.