Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Filer, Howell and Matthews.

To receive information on any changes in the membership of the Committee.

Note – When a member of a Committee is unable to attend a meeting of a Committee or Sub-Committee, the relevant Political Group Leader (or their nominated representative) may, by notice to the Monitoring Officer (or their nominated representative) prior to the meeting, appoint a substitute member from within the same Political Group. The contact details on the front of this agenda should be used for notifications.

There were no substitute members.

To elect a Chair of the Licensing Committee for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Councillor Flagg was elected as Chair for the ensuing municipal year.

To elect a Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

Councillor Moore was elected as Vice Chair for the ensuing municipal year.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 7 March 2024 and the Licensing Sub Committee meetings held on 28 February, 13 and 27 March 2024.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Licensing Committee on 7 March 2024 and the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 28 February, and 13 and 27 March 2024, be signed by the Chair as an accurate record.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution, which is available to view at the following link:

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of a public question is midday Thursday 9 May 2024 [midday 3 clear working days before the meeting].

The deadline for the submission of a public statement is midday Tuesday 14 May 2024 [midday the working day before the meeting].

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 30 April 2024 [10 working days before the meeting].

There were no public questions, statements, or petitions for this meeting.

On 7 March 2024 the Committee approved an increase in the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Fees. Officers have realised that there was an error within the spreadsheet provided. All fees were subject to a 4% inflationary increase.

Unfortunately, the calculation for the Private Hire Vehicle fee used the fee for 2022 which was £160 but the fee for 2023 which should have been subject to the increase was £175. This means that the fee for 2024 should be £182 and NOT £166 as stated within the report.

These fees are subject to public consultation and no objections were received. However, this amendment will mean the consultation for this one fee will need to take place before it can be implemented. All other fees came into effect as of 1 May 2024.

A copy of the report and appendix considered by the Committee on 7 March is appended for information. The chart on page one of the appendix should be updated as follows:

Vehicle                              BCP Current Fees             BCP Proposed

Fees 2024

Private Hire Vehicle           £175.00                             £182.00

Licence (1 year)

In accordance with the recommendation in the March report, Members are asked to consider the proposed fee for the Private Hire Vehicle Licence and either

a) Agree the proposed fee as stated;

b) Agree an amended fee following consideration;

c) Maintain the current fee.

The Licensing Manager addressed the Committee and explained that on 7 March 2024 the Committee approved an increase in the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Fees. Since then, officers had realised that there was an error within the spreadsheet provided. All fees were subject to a 4% inflationary increase. Unfortunately, the calculation for the Private Hire Vehicle fee used the fee for 2022 which was £160, however, the fee for 2023, which should have been subjected to the increase, was £175. This meant that the fee for 2024 should be £182 and not £166, as stated within the report.

The fees were subjected to public consultation and no objections were received. However, this amendment would mean the consultation would need to run again for Private Hire Vehicle Licence Fees.

The chart on page one of the appendix should be updated as follows:

Vehicle                        BCP Current Fees       BCP Proposed Fees 2024

Private Hire Vehicle    £175.00                       £182.00

Licence (1 year)

The Chair accepted that an error had occurred and asked committee members if they had any questions or comments. No questions/comments were raised.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee agree the proposed fees as stated.

To consider, amend as required and agree the Committee’s proposed Forward Plan.

The Licensing Manager took members through the Committee’s Forward Plan, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The following updates were provided:

• The Pleasure Boats and Boatpersons Licensing Policy consultation had been postponed until next year out of respect for the upcoming one-year anniversary of the Bournemouth Beach Tragedy.
• The Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver, Vehicle and Operator Policies had been postponed until the December meeting to allow the Committee more time to consider the draft policy.
• The Review of Scrap Metal Policy had been postponed until the December meeting.
• Review of Statement of Licensing Principles -Gambling Act 2005 -Following guidance issued by the Gambling Commission a light touch update would be presented for approval as a final document at the December meeting. A full review would take place during 2025.

The Committee discussed the process for formulating a Sex Establishment Policy, should the Council decide to have one. The Licensing Manager advised that this would be led by members and senior management and that no instructions had been received to create a policy. It was noted that the Review of the Statement of Licencing Policy would need to be completed prior to considering the formulation of a Sex Establishment Policy.

The Chair and Vice-Chair agreed to prepare a brief report to present to full Council to get a view on whether the Council felt a Sex Establishment Policy was necessary. The Licensing Manger advised that she would draft a report to include legislative background, which could form a starting point for discussions. The report would be presented to the Licensing Committee for endorsement prior to going to full Council.