Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is for the Committee to consider a review of the non-statutory set fees charges for licences/registrations which are administered by the Licensing Committee.

This is the first time the Licensing Authority for BCP Council has assessed the non-statutory set fees since the its creation on the 1^st April 2019.

Currently licence holders in the three legacy council areas are paying different fees for the same licences. This disparity causes confusion for applicants and makes administering the licensing function challenging.

The fees being proposed cover the following areas of licensing activity:-

·       The Taxi and Private Hire function issues licences to drivers, vehicles and Operators and the fees the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 allows the local authority to charge fees on a cost recovery basis only.

·       The Gambling Act 2005 sets statutory fees for certain activities in addition the Gambling (Premises Licence Fees) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 allows local authorities to set fees up to a statutory maximum for certain types of premises such as casinos, bingo halls and betting shops.

·       Licenses are also issued for pleasure boats which are hired and self driven or provide passage for up to 12 passengers. This function is covered under the Public Health Act 1907 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Licensing Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which, together with an updated Appendix 1 Fee Schedule, appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee was asked to consider the schedule of proposed fees for licences/registrations administered by the Licensing Committee, as set out in the updated Appendix 1. This was the first time the Licensing Authority for BCP Council had reviewed these fees since the its creation on the 1^st April 2019. Currently licence holders in the three legacy council areas were paying different fees for the same licences. This disparity was causing confusion for applicants and made administering the licensing function challenging. The proposed fees were based on statutory requirements and case law. They covered three main areas of licensing activity, as follows:

The Taxi and Private Hire function, which issued licences to drivers, vehicles and operators. The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 allowed the local authority to charge fees on a cost recovery basis only. These fees covered the cost of administration, compliance and the issuing of licences, plates, etc. Hackney Carriage licensing fees also included recharges for the upkeep of taxi ranks and the requirement to undertake an unmet needs survey every three years. Driver fees included the cost of more frequent, six monthly DBS status checks under the new policy, where previously it had been every three years. It was noted that the dual licence fee in Appendix 1 should be listed under the Driver section, not the Vehicle section. 

Taxi and Private Hire fees had last been reviewed in Bournemouth and Poole in 2015 and in Christchurch in 2017. The Licensing Manager explained that the new fees had been calculated from a starting point of zero, without reference to previous fees, to reflect the actual cost to BCP Council of providing the service. The finance officer had reviewed the proposed fees and had confirmed that they were set appropriately. There was a statutory requirement to advertise the new fees for a minimum period of 28 days. Any objections received would require consideration by the Licensing Committee.

The Gambling Act 2005 set statutory fees for certain activities; in addition the Gambling (Premises Licence Fees) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 allowed local authorities to set fees up to a statutory maximum for certain types of premises such as casinos, bingo halls and betting shops. These fees covered the cost of administration, compliance, inspection, checking of documents, and liaison with the Gambling Commission. Previous fees in Bournemouth and Poole had been the same, in Christchurch significantly lower. Fees had not been reviewed for a number of years.

Licences were also issued for pleasure boats which were hired and self-driven or provided passage for up to 12 passengers. This function was covered under the Public Health Act 1907 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Head of Communities confirmed that the fees had been set in line  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31