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RESOLVED that the Committee – (a) note the contents of the report; (b) note the engagement and consultation work undertaken since the implementation of the revised Hackney Carriage Table of Fares in October 2025; (c) support retaining the current Hackney Carriage Table of Fares for 2027, and (d) support officers undertaking a further annual review during 2027 for consideration of any changes required for 2028.
RESOLVED that the Committee, having considered the representations received during the consultation process and officers assessment of the representations, – (a) approve the amendments to section 3.3.1, 3.3.4, and 8.1 of the draft Statement of Principles to provide greater clarity regarding the Licensing Authority’s intentions, and (b) recommend that the revised Statement of Principles, attached at Appendix 3 to the report, be referred to full Council for adoption. At this point, Councillor Merfyn Parry left the meeting, resulting in the meeting no longer being quorate. The Chair advised that, as there were no remaining items requiring a decision, the Committee would proceed with the remaining agenda items in order to conclude the meeting.
RESOLVED that the forward work programme be noted. The meeting concluded at 10.45 am.
RESOLVED that the application for a Hackney Carriage Licence be granted. The reasons for the Licensing Committee’s decision were as follows – The Committee had carefully considered the report of the Licensing Officer, the Council’s Licensing Policy, and the representations made by the Applicants, and all relevant circumstances of the case. The Committee noted that the Applicant’s renewal application had not been received until after the expiry of the existing licence. As a consequence, there was no valid licence in force at the time the application was made and the previous vehicle licence had lapsed. Members accepted the advice that, once a vehicle licence had lapsed, there was no power to renew the licence. The application must therefore be treated as an application for a new vehicle licence rather than renewal of an existing licence. The Committee noted that the vehicle was first licensed in 2021 and the vehicle was nine years and two months old. Under the Council’s Licensing Policy, vehicles presented as new additions to the licensed fleet must be no more than five years old at the time of licensing. The Committee was satisfied that the delay in submitting the renewal application arose from exceptional circumstances, namely the administration and management of the business at the time. Members were reassured by the appointment of a Fleet Manager to manage the renewal process going forward and a new system for recording licence renewal dates. Having balanced these factors against the objectives of the Licensing Policy, the Committee considered it appropriate and proportionate to depart from the policy in this instance. Accordingly, the application was granted as an exception to the policy, the reasons for which are recorded as the exceptional circumstances as set out above. The Chair conveyed the Committee’s decision to the Applicants. She added that the Committee had considered the absence of a renewal reminder to have been a contributing factor and asked that officers review the process to help minimise the risk of recurrence. The Legal Advisor reported on the reasons for the decision.
Decided: Council unanimously agreed the fees payable to the Returning Officer and election staff for the elections on 6 May 2027, and that they will stay in place for five years. The fees will be adjusted if needed to match the Foundation Living Wage. Council also agreed that its insurance covers the Returning Officer and staff for all election work, and that the council will cover any policy excess for the Returning Officer.
Decided: Council referred the petition to Councillor Amanda Owen to consider, respond to and report back on in due course.
Decided: Council unanimously carried a motion expressing support and solidarity with the Nepalese community in Torfaen and those affected by flooding in Nepal. It also unanimously carried a motion expressing support for those affected by the recent wildfires in Torfaen, and committing the council to work locally and nationally on recovery.
Decided: Council unanimously agreed to note the 2025-26 Annual Scrutiny Report.
Decided: Council unanimously approved the revised Part 12 (Pensions) of the constitution, the council's written rulebook, with effect from 15 September 2026. Council also delegated oversight of the changes to the Strategic Director, Resources and the Head of Pension Administration and Investments, with progress updates to the Pensions Committee.
Decided: Council unanimously approved the 2026 Annual Monitoring Report and its submission to the Welsh Government by 31 October 2026.
Decided: Council unanimously agreed to the change in political balance, using the calculations in Appendix A to the report. It also appointed members to the committees affected, as shown in Appendix B.
Decided: Cabinet noted the initial revenue and capital forecasts and the latest financial standing position, and approved the additions to the capital programme set out in the report.
Decided: Cabinet delegated authority to the Chief Executive (until the Joint Strategic Director Economy and Place is in post), in consultation with the Executive Members for economy, skills and regeneration in both councils, to appoint Willmott Dixon by direct award (without a further competition) under the Pagabo Developer Led Framework Lot 1b, subject to final procurement and legal assurance. Cabinet also agreed to negotiate and agree all the requirements needed to set up the commercial relationship, at a cost of up to £300,000 plus VAT over 12 months.