Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2018.

The minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the ordinary meeting held on 10 January 2018, were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of agenda items 7 - 8 that are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the paragraph 1 of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), as they contain ‘information relating to an individual’

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Items 7 & 8 to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to an individual as defined in Category 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, would not be fair to the applicant and would breach their data protection principles.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests which they may have had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration reported that the Corporate Director, in consultation with the Chair, had taken action to suspend 7 hire care drivers’ licences.

RESOLVED – That the urgent action be noted.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair and members of the Committee on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice. (Questions must be submitted prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided.  These are available at the meeting).

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report informs Members of the results of the report commissioned to examine the provision of taxi vehicles in the Borough.  Members are requested to decide on the most appropriate action in relation to the issuing of taxi licences.

Members are requested to note the report and consider the following:

     I.        There is no evidence of unmet demand at present.  It is therefore recommended that no new licences are required to meet demand.

    II.        That the Committee take note of the times when passenger queues occurred on Chestergate.  Although demand at these times was generally lower than at peak levels, should the incidences of queuing increase, even by a relatively small amount, this could lead to the level of unmet demand becoming significant.

Officer contact: Peter Cooke Telephone 474 4851 Email: peter.cooke@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated), which informed Members of the results of the report commissioned to examine the provision of taxi vehicles in the Borough.

RESOLVED – (i) that the report be noted.

(ii) The Committee further noted the times when passenger queues occurred on Chestergate.  Although demand at these times was generally lower than at peak levels, should the incidences of queuing increase, even by a relatively small amount, this could lead to the level of unmet demand becoming significant.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report advises Members of the draft licensed vehicle test standard and questionnaire for consultation.

Members are requested to:

     I.        Note the report.

    II.        To approve the draft licensed vehicle test standard for consultation, the consultation process to run for a 6 week period commencing on 16 February 2018.

  III.        To approve the consultation questionnaire at Appendix 2 for use in the consultation process.

  IV.        To approve the consultation process to involve the use of the Council’s website to publicise and encourage response to the consultation process and that the following be contacted directly and advised of the consultation:

·         Stockport Owners and Drivers Association

·         All Stockport Licensed Private Hire Operators

·         Taxi testing station, Bredbury

·         DVSA

·         Other Greater Manchester Licensing Authorities and

·         Greater Manchester Police.

   V.        That a further report be brought back to Committee detailing the consultation responses received and a proposed final draft vehicle test standard be considered for approval by the Committee.

Officer contact: Sarah Tooth Telephone: 0161 474 4176 Email: sarah.tooth@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which advised Members of the draft licensed vehicle test standard and questionnaire for consultation.

RESOLVED – (i) that the report be noted.

(ii) That the draft licensed vehicle test standard for consultation to run for a 6 week period commencing on 16 February 2018, be approved.

(iii) That the consultation questionnaire at Appendix 2 for use in the consultation process, be approved.

(iv) That the consultation process to involve the use of the Council’s website to publicise and encourage response to the consultation process be approved, and that the following be contacted directly and advised of the consultation:

·         Stockport Owners and Drivers Association

·         All Stockport Licensed Private Hire Operators

·         Taxi testing station, Bredbury

·         DVSA

·         Other Greater Manchester Licensing Authorities and

·         Greater Manchester Police

(v) That a further report be brought back to Committee detailing the consultation responses received and a proposed final draft vehicle test standard be considered for approval by the Committee.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report informs Members of the proposed licensed hire car vehicle driver’s convictions.

The Committee is requested to consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a hire car vehicle driver’s licence.

Officer contact: Peter Cooke Tel 474 4851 Email peter.cooke@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which requested the Committee to consider whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a hire car vehicle driver’s licence in view of the driver’s convictions.

The Committee interviewed the driver, who was accompanied by a friend, in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration.

The report informs Members of the proposed licence hire car vehicle driver’s convictions.

The Committee is requested to consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a hire car vehicle driver’s licence.

Officer contact: Peter Cooke Tel 474 4851 Email peter.cooke@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which requested the Committee to consider whether the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a hire car vehicle driver’s licence in view of the driver’s convictions.

The Committee interviewed the applicant in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.