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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED that; 1. The fees proposed in the report as outlined in Appendix 1 and subject to 1.2 determine the fees for 2023/24 for implementation from 1.8.2023 be approved. 2. The advertising of the proposed fees for hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licences and Operators for 2023/24 for 28 days as part of the statutory consultation process be approved. 3. If there are no objections, the proposed fees for hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licences and Operators fees will come into force at the end of the consultation period. If objections are received a further meeting of this Committee will be arranged to consider any objections received and to determine the fees to be charged and the date on which any variations should come into force be approved. The Chair thanked everyone in attendance and the meeting closed at 2.30pm.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors W. Williams (Chair), G. Ead, P. Cook, E. Aldworth, D. Price.
There were no declarations of interest received at the commencement or during the course of the meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that; 1. The fees proposed in the report as outlined in Appendix 1 and subject to 1.2 determine the fees for 2023/24 for implementation from 1.8.2023 be approved. 2. The advertising of the proposed fees for hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licences and Operators for 2023/24 for 28 days as part of the statutory consultation process be approved. 3. If there are no objections, the proposed fees for hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licences and Operators fees will come into force at the end of the consultation period. If objections are received a further meeting of this Committee will be arranged to consider any objections received and to determine the fees to be charged and the date on which any variations should come into force be approved. The Chair thanked everyone in attendance and the meeting closed at 2.30pm.
The Licensing Manager presented a report to the Taxi and General Licensing Committee which sought Members approval in relation to the Taxi and General Licensing/Registration fees for the next financial year. The Licensing Manager advised the Committee the proposed fees for the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle and Private Hire Operator licences for 2023/24 will be advertised for consultation following this meeting, and if any objections are received, they would be considered at a further meeting of the Taxi and General Committee to determine the fees to be charged and the date on which any variations should come into force. The Committee were informed all locally set licensing fees are reviewed regularly to recover reasonable costs of providing the service. The report recommended changes in fees where appropriate for several general fees such as Animal Establishments and Private Hire/Hackney Carriage Driver, Vehicle and Operator licences. It also establishes additional categories of renewal fees for some licence types where a lesser cost is involved in the renewal process. The Licensing Manger informed the Committee a consultation exercise was undertaken in relation to Taxi and Private Hire and Animal related licences in relation to the full cost recovery amount for each respective licence type. The Committee noted that in relation to the Taxi and Private Hire licence types there had been a number of responses to the consultation online, plus a further two representations which had been received separately by a vehicle proprietor and a petition submitted on behalf of the Caerphilly County Borough Taxi Driver Association. The Committee were requested to consider approval to introduce a renewal fee in relation to animal related licence types. The renewal fee will deduct the cost of an initial veterinarian fee which is required for a new licence. The Licensing Manager advised the Committee, in response to the consultation exercise undertaken there had been a number of responses requesting greater enforcement be undertaken on unlicensed home boarders. The Licensing Manger assured the Committee, when any complaints are received of this nature they are thoroughly investigated. It was noted that there is a proposed fee reduction in relation to a Street Trading Consent due to a change in how the consents are issued. The Licensing Manager requested the Committee to consider the approval of an increase to a premises licence and a personal registration in relation to Tattooing and Piercing. The Committee noted that these fees were a one-off payment and had no annual renewal fee. The Committee noted in relation to Pleasure Boat licensing the report sought approval to a slight reduction and in relation Civil Marriages and Partnership venues, Sex Shops and Sexual Entertainment Venues it was proposed that the fees would remain at the current levels. The Taxi and General Committee further noted the Council has a duty to cost recover locally set fees. Licence fees have not increased in most instances since 2019/20 and some prior to this date. The Chair thanked the Licensing Manager for his report and invited Mr G. Edwards to submit the representations on behalf of the Caerphilly County Borough Taxi Driver Association. Mr G. Edwards advised the Committee that the Association accepted the need to increase the fees and did not have concerns with the fee increase in relation to vehicles. However, the Association had received a number of concerns from licensed drivers in relation to the proposed increase in relation to drivers’ licence. Mr Edwards acknowledge the need for an increase but asked the Committee to consider a smaller percentage increase in light of the cost-of-living crisis. The Chair thanked all parties for their comments and invited any questions. In response to a query raised by the Taxi and General Committee, the Licensing Manger advised the Committee that there is provision to apply for a for a one-, two- or three-year Driver’s License application. There is currently no provision to refund any licences that are lost prior to expiring. For example, if the license were to be suspended or revoked. If, however, the driver had to surrender their licence for another reason specific to themselves, then each case would be looked at on its own merit and a part refund could be refunded depending on the circumstances. Following consideration of the report it was moved and seconded that the recommendations be approved. By way of Microsoft Forms this was agreed by the majority present. RESOLVED that; 1. The fees proposed in the report as outlined in Appendix 1 and subject to 1.2 determine the fees for 2023/24 for implementation from 1.8.2023 be approved. 2. The advertising of the proposed fees for hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licences and Operators for 2023/24 for 28 days as part of the statutory consultation process be approved. 3. If there are no objections, the proposed fees for hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licences and Operators fees will come into force at the end of the consultation period. If objections are received a further meeting of this Committee will be arranged to consider any objections received and to determine the fees to be charged and the date on which any variations should come into force be approved. The Chair thanked everyone in attendance and the meeting closed at 2.30pm.
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