Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Cllrs Steve Clarke, Jack Davies and David Harrison.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 10 January 2025 and 12 May 2025 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2025 and 12 May 2025  be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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.

No Declarations of Interest were made by any Members in connection with any Agenda Item.

To receive any public participation in accordance with the Council’s public participation scheme.

There was no public participation.

To consider proposed amendments to the taxi licensing policy based on the Institute of Licensing Suitability Guidance.

The Committee reviewed proposed amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy following the publication of revised Institute of Licensing’s Suitability Guidance, together with  related consultation arrangements on the proposed amendments.

It was explained that the Convictions Policy in Appendix B of the Taxi Licensing Policy was based on the Institute of Licensing’s Suitability Guidance. This had recently been updated and amendments were proposed to Appendix B of the Taxi Licensing Policy to reflect the updates.

The updates, marked in red in the report in Appendix 2, were intended to clarify the Policy, make it more robust in safeguarding the public, and achieve consistency across authorities. All local authorities based their convictions guidance on both statutory guidance and the Institute’s guidance.

A one-month consultation process would take place with key stakeholders regarding the proposed amendments. Any relevant responses received would be reviewed and presented to Members at a future Committee meeting, following the end of the consultation period, to agree any changes based on responses received. The updated policy would then be presented to Full Council for Members to agree adoption of the amended Appendix B.

A Member requested clarification concerning Section 5.10 of the covering report (also Page 61 in Appendix 2), regarding Offences Involving Discrimination, compliance with the Equalities Act 2010 and provision of mobility assistance. It was explained that this had been amended to ensure that drivers could not refuse to carry assistance dogs or provide mobility assistance without good reason or exemptions in place. It was suggested that the words ‘reasonable accommodation’ be included in this point, to acknowledge that this was not always possible in absolutely every case, due to the type of vehicle which may be being used. Officers explained that any reports on this would be judged on its own merits and dealt with accordingly.  Officers would take this point on board when reviewing the document in the light of consultation responses.

A member also queried whether the Policy included a section on protection of children / passengers from radicalisation, which related to published safeguarding guidance in 2025. Officers advised that this was covered in the Code of Conduct at Appendix E of the current Policy [confirmed shortly after the meeting].

RESOLVED:

That subject to taking on board the comments made above, the proposed amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy (Appendix B) be agreed for the purposes of public consultation, and that the related public consultation arrangements be agreed, with a further report on any responses, coming back to the Committee.

To receive the Licensing Authority performance report, which sets out the work of the Licensing Authority over the past 12 months together with the workplan for 2025-26.

The Committee received a report highlighting the work of the Licensing Authority over the past 12 months, together with the workplan for 2025-26.

Over the financial year, the taxi policy had been implemented, and a large number of licences issued for drivers, operators, and vehicles. Details of driver knowledge tests and work undertaken at the new Hardley depot for vehicles assessments was also given, in addition to testing at the Lymington depot.

Together with an overview of licences issued, there was a summary of licence refusals and revocations and a related taxi driver appeal hearing.

The Service had also advised on setting its fees and charges.  It had also dealt with licensing sub-committee hearings under the Licensing Act 2003 and related mediation.

The Service also dealt with numerous other licences including gambling, pleasure boats, road closures, charity collections and scrap metal dealers.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To agree the following dates for meetings in 2026/27 (all Fridays at 10.00am).

RESOLVED:

That the following dates be agreed for Committee meetings in 2026/27 (all Fridays at 10.00am).

2026

19 June

4 September

27 November

2027

15 January

12 March