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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 the Licensing Act 2003 – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 be noted.
RESOLVED That the Gambling Act 2005 – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 be noted. [Councillor Tony Wilcox left the meeting at this juncture.]
RESOLVED That the Taxi and Private Hire – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 be noted.
RESOLVED That condition 4(b) of the Council’s Standard Conditions of Licence for Combined Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Licence be amended as follows: 4(b) The driver shall upon initial application and on every third anniversary thereafter, or at such times as may be specified by the Council or a medical practitioner, produce a Group 2 medical certificate in the form prescribed by the Council, completed by a registered medical practitioner, stating to the effect he is or continues to be physically fit to be a driver of a private hire/hackney carriage vehicle, in accordance with the current DVLA document “For Medical Practitioners – At a glance Guide to the current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive” issued by the Drivers Medical Section, DVLA, Swansea.
RESOLVED That the revised Gambling Act 2005 Policy 3 year review be approved and, following consultation, published to ensure that the Authority has carried out its statutory duty under the Act. In closing the meeting, the Chair expressed his thanks to the Licensing Team and wished the Pollution Control and Licensing Officer all the best in her new role and the Lead Officer, Licensing on her retirement.
Councillor Aaron Carey declared a personal interest in matters relating to Agenda item no. 5 Gambling Act 2005 – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 and Agenda item no. 8 Gambling Act Policy 3 year review by virtue of employment at a book makers.
Moved by Councillor Mark Carter; Seconded by Councillor John Cole The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 August 2022 be approved as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Licensing Act 2003 – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 be noted.
The Chair welcomed the Head of Housing and Public Protection to the meeting to give a presentation on the Licensing Act 2003 – Annual report to 31 December 2022 highlighting an escalation in costs which were not related to the fee levels that were charged. The Committee then discussed the report and the key points were highlighted as follows: · A number of consultations had been undertaken in relation to drink spiking by the Licensing Expert Panel for Wales, chaired by the Pollution Control and Licensing Officer from Pembrokeshire County Council. · A change to legislation was proposed to implement Martins Law following the Manchester terror attack. · The Home Office were consulting on a bill to review how premises and public events prepare for events. · A portal was in development for licensing applications. · In response to a question from the Chair regarding staffing, the Head of Housing and Public Protection advised that two experienced Officers were leaving the Authority, the Pollution Control and Licensing Officer and the Lead Officer for Licensing with recruitment to commence following a full review of staffing. · In response to a question from Councillor David Bryan regarding the late night levy consultation, the Pollution Control and Licensing Officer advised that the consultation had concluded with no indication on the outcome however, informal discussions were advising that it would mainly be urban authority’s that would take up the late night levy. · In responding to a further question from Councillor Bryan regarding the smoking ban, the Pollution Control and Licensing Officer advised that they were not aware of any issues or repeat offenders following the smoking ban coming into force. · In response to a question from Councillor Mark Carter regarding an easy method to report licensing issues to the Authority, the Head of Housing and Public Protection advised that public/residents could telephone through to the contact centre or report directly to the Licensing Department. · In response to a concern raised by Councillor Reg Owens regarding the relaxation of restrictions coming out of the pandemic, the Head of Housing and Public Protection advised that under the Business and Planning Act 2020, the loosening of restrictions for premises were introduced regarding off sales, the selling of alcohol off the premises. This had been a mandatory condition and therefore the Local Authority had no influence over it. This condition was to remain until September 2023 and the Authority were waiting for advice from UK Government as to the ongoing legislation. · The Head of Housing and Public Protection further advised that outside spaces that were permanent structures would require planning and that they may need to submit a variation however, planning were being consulted on those premises affected. The Committee gave their thanks and appreciation to the Pollution Control and Licensing Officer and to the Lead Officer for Licensing for all of their work and wished them well in their new roles and retirement. Moved by Councillor Tim Evans: Seconded by Councillor Tony Wilcox The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Licensing Act 2003 – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Gambling Act 2005 – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 be noted. [Councillor Tony Wilcox left the meeting at this juncture.]
The Committee considered a report by the Pollution Control and Licensing Officer on the Gambling Act 2005 advising of an error on the total number of visits as 154 and not 15. The Committee then debated the contents of the report, and the key points were highlighted as follows: · The Gambling Commission had reported a 35-40% reduction in the use of Fixed Odds betting terminals following the introduction of new regulations in 2019 for Category B gaming machines. · Social Bingo and Gambling nights had grown in popularity and the team were working with the Gambling Commission to ensure compliance. · The Local Authority were responsible for regulating machines in public houses. · Officers expressed their appreciation and ongoing close working relationships with the Gambling Commission. · In response to a concern raised by the Chair regarding online gambling, the Lead Officer, Licensing advised that the Authority were not responsible for the regulating of lottery tickets however, gaming machines within licensed premises were included on visits to ensure no underage users. · In response to a question from Councillor Viv Stoddart regarding lottery permits, the Lead Officer, Licensing explained that registration was required for events with pre-sold tickets where the fund raiser must be for a good cause with a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. · The Lead Officer, Licensing clarified that high value prizes were regulated through the Gambling Commission and that a return after every lottery was required to the licensing department to evidence all monies collected. Moved by Councillor Tim Evans; Seconded by Councillor Tony Wilcox The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Gambling Act 2005 – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 be noted. [Councillor Tony Wilcox left the meeting at this juncture.]
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Taxi and Private Hire – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 be noted.
The Pollution Control and Licensing Officer presented the report on Taxi and Private Hire – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 to the Committee advising that Welsh Government were proposing to reform the taxi and private hire legislation. The Committee then debated the contents of the report and the key points were highlighted as follows: · A 20mph speed limit had been trialled in St Dogmaels. · The e-Taxi scheme, providing a ‘try before you buy’ pilot had been taken up by a small number of taxi drivers allowing them to trial the e-taxi for 30 days in support of the Welsh Government decarbonisation by 2028 scheme. · In response to a question from the Chair, the Lead Officer, Licensing advised that each driver could only undertake one trial period. · The Pollution Control and Licensing Officer advised that the vehicles trialled were low emission vehicles and that, following the taxi bill consultation, they would know the financial support that was available. · In response to a question from the Chair, the Lead Officer, Licensing advised that there had been a few e-vehicles plated in the last month, this was not a significant number but it was increasing. · Councillor Mark Carter noted that the cost of the vehicles was prohibitive and asked if there were any methods or schemes being used to encourage compliant vehicles. The Pollution Control and Licensing Officer clarified that Welsh Government were considering support and that it was part of the consultation. She further emphasised the need for charging points to be easily accessible. · In response to a question from Councillor Aaron Carey regarding the knowledge test being too easy, the Lead Officer, Licensing explained that it is not meant to be difficult but to ensure they are properly informed. · The Chair sought further clarification on whether the test was specific to Pembrokeshire or a national test and the Lead Officer, Licensing explained that it had been designed in collaboration with the Local Authority and Dyfed Powys Police with specific questions regarding Pembrokeshire. Moved by Councillor Tim Evans; Seconded by Councillor Tony Wilcox The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Taxi and Private Hire – Annual Report to 31 December 2022 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That condition 4(b) of the Council’s Standard Conditions of Licence for Combined Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Licence be amended as follows: 4(b) The driver shall upon initial application and on every third anniversary thereafter, or at such times as may be specified by the Council or a medical practitioner, produce a Group 2 medical certificate in the form prescribed by the Council, completed by a registered medical practitioner, stating to the effect he is or continues to be physically fit to be a driver of a private hire/hackney carriage vehicle, in accordance with the current DVLA document “For Medical Practitioners – At a glance Guide to the current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive” issued by the Drivers Medical Section, DVLA, Swansea.
The Lead Officer, Licensing presented the report for amendment to the Committee to allow a driver to drive both private hire and hackney carriage. Drivers have experienced difficulties getting GP appointments for Level 2 medicals. Councillor Aaron Carey then Moved the recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Tim Evans In response to a suggestion from Councillor Reg Owens regarding the Authority employing a GP on a retainer to deal with the medicals, the Lead Officer, Licensing explained that this had been explored previoiusly due to the delays during Covid. The best way has been to use private contractors for the group 2 medicals as they were familiar with the requirements of the DVLA. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That condition 4(b) of the Council’s Standard Conditions of Licence for Combined Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers Licence be amended as follows: 4(b) The driver shall upon initial application and on every third anniversary thereafter, or at such times as may be specified by the Council or a medical practitioner, produce a Group 2 medical certificate in the form prescribed by the Council, completed by a registered medical practitioner, stating to the effect he is or continues to be physically fit to be a driver of a private hire/hackney carriage vehicle, in accordance with the current DVLA document “For Medical Practitioners – At a glance Guide to the current Medical Standards of Fitness to Drive” issued by the Drivers Medical Section, DVLA, Swansea.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the revised Gambling Act 2005 Policy 3 year review be approved and, following consultation, published to ensure that the Authority has carried out its statutory duty under the Act. In closing the meeting, the Chair expressed his thanks to the Licensing Team and wished the Pollution Control and Licensing Officer all the best in her new role and the Lead Officer, Licensing on her retirement.
The Lead Officer, Licensing presented the Gambling Act Policy 3 year Review to the Committee for noting and informed them that the draft policy was out for consultation. Moved by Councillor Tim Evans; Seconded by Councillor Mark Carter The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the revised Gambling Act 2005 Policy 3 year review be approved and, following consultation, published to ensure that the Authority has carried out its statutory duty under the Act. In closing the meeting, the Chair expressed his thanks to the Licensing Team and wished the Pollution Control and Licensing Officer all the best in her new role and the Lead Officer, Licensing on her retirement.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
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