Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllrs Jack Davies and Alvin Reid

4.

Minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 25 February and 20 May 2019 as correct records.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the meetings held on 25 February and 20 May 2019 be signed by the Chairman as correct records.

 

 

5.

Declarations Of Interest

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

 

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made by members in connection with any agenda item.

 

 

6.

Public Participation

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

Minutes:

No issues were raised during the public participation period.

 

 

7.

Gambling Act Policy - Review pdf icon PDF 149 KB

To consider a review of the Council’s Gambling Policy.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered arrangements for a review of the Council’s Gambling Policy.

 

The Statement of Gambling Principles was out for consultation until 26 July 2019, and the Committee would be informed of the comments received at the September 2019 meeting, when they would be required to recommend the finalised Statement to full Council for adoption.  The Statement would be valid for three years subject to there being no changes imposed by the Gambling Commission in the interim.  Members were invited to go to the website and contribute to the consultation should they so wish.

 

The Statement had been updated to take account of and reflect legislative changes since the last review.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the content of the draft revised Statement of Gambling Principles be noted and that the Committee receive the finalised Statement of Gambling Policy in the September meeting which will take into account consultation responses.

 

 

8.

Safeguarding Training for Taxi Drivers pdf icon PDF 261 KB

To note arrangements for safeguarding training for taxi drivers.

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted a proposal to introduce mandatory safeguarding training to be completed by all existing taxi drivers prior to renewal and issue of their drivers licence.  There was a need to raise awareness of safeguarding issues within the taxi trade as it had an important role to play in conjunction with licensing authorities to protect the public.  All existing drivers would be required to attend the safeguarding training and new licences would only be issued on successful completion of the assessment module.  The training has been recently reviewed and updated based on feedback from new applicants undertaking the training, officers and neighbouring authorities.

 

Officers undertook to pass on to the Committee the details of the safeguarding awareness training and safeguarding handbook for licensed drivers and these will be sent out to accompany the minutes of the meeting.

 

It was noted the training applied to Hackney or Private Use drivers, including Uber drivers.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Committee endorse the safeguarding training module being introduced for existing taxi drivers and recognises the positive outcome of implementing this with all new and existing applicants.

 

 

9.

Licensing Procedure and Checklist pdf icon PDF 107 KB

To consider a proposed revision to the procedure for Licensing Hearings.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a proposed revision to the procedure for licensing hearings.  It was noted that the changes were purely technical in terms of terminology and did not change the actual procedure used when licensing hearings were held.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)        That the revised draft licensing procedure at Appendix 1 and a checklist at Appendix 2 to item 6 be approved with effect from 12 June 2019; and

 

(b)        That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer (or the Deputy Monitoring Officer) in consultation with the Chairman of the General Purposes & Licensing Committee to update the licensing hearing procedure to take account of any new legislation or guidance, provided that such changes were minor, and that any significant changes be brought to the attention of the Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Polling Districts and Places Review

The Council is required to complete a review of the polling districts and polling places within the District by the end of 2019.   Following discussions with the Chairman, it is proposed to set up a Working Party of five members to consider the issues involved and to make recommendations to this Committee.   Local members would be invited to attend when issues concerning their wards are discussed.    Views of parish and town councils, together with those of disability groups, will also be sought.

 

The Committee is asked to appoint the Working Party, with the following terms of reference:

 

“To oversee the review of the polling districts and polling places in the New Forest District under Section 17 of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, and to make recommendations to the General Purposes and Licensing Committee”.

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Council was required to complete a review of the polling districts and polling places within the District by the end of 2019.  Following discussions with the Chairman, it was proposed to set up a working party to consider the issues involved and to make recommendations to the Committee.  Local members would be invited to attend when issues concerning their wards were discussed.  Views of parish and town councils, together with those of disability groups, will also be sought.

 

Volunteers would be sought across the Council membership and this will be confirmed by email in due course.

 

It was agreed that the Chairman could agree the final membership of the working party.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the terms of reference of the working party be agreed as follows:

 

“To oversee the review of the polling districts and polling places in the New Forest District under Section 17 of the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, and to make recommendations to the General Purposes & Licensing Committee”.