Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2012.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 12 September 2012 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in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of items (if any) on the agenda which are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the categories set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of items 8 –12 to prevent the disclosure of information relating to an individual. It would not, on balance, be in the public interest to disclose this information because disclosure of the personal information would not be fair to the applicants and would breach their Data Protection rights.

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 they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal and Prejudicial 

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

No urgent decisions were reported.

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 and at local libraries and information centres).

No public questions were submitted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report details a revised policy in relation to the Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

The Committee is recommended to endorse the Statement of Principles and recommend its approval to the executive along with any amendments considered necessary.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a revised policy on the Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

RESOLVED - That the Executive be recommended to give approval to the Statement of Principles.   

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report details proposals to consider a fares increase for taxis with effect from 1st January 2013.

The Committee is recommended to consider an increase of 5% in taxi fares, authorise to advertise the fares proposal to come into effect on 1st January 2013, subject to any objections and for officers to undertake an annual review of taxi fares.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to determine the level of taxi fares for 2013; specifically detailing proposals to increase taxi fares by 5% following the application of the approved methodology to calculate such increases.

RESOLVED – (1) That approval be given to an increase of 5% in taxi fares for the 2013 financial year as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

(2) That the Service Director (Place Management) be authorised to advertise the proposed increase in fares and that subject to the consideration of any written objections, 1 January 2013 be set as the date when the approved licence fees come into effect.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report provides details of a driver’s recent conviction.

The Committee is recommended to consider what action to take, if any, with regard to the driver’s recent conviction.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to consider whether the driver was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a hire car driver’s licence in light of the driver recently being convicted of plying for hire, not being in possession of valid car insurance and failure to wear his driver identity badge.

The Committee interviewed the driver’s representative and driver in relation to these matters. 

RESOLVED – That the Committee was satisfied that the driver was not a fit and proper person to continue to be a licenced as a hire car driver by virtue of the driver’s recent conviction of plying for hire, not being in possession of valid car insurance and failure to wear his driver identity badge.  Further, the Committee noted that the driver’s previous convictions and his continued transgressions had led him to attend the Committee on two previous occasions. The Committee was of the view that in light of the evidence, should the driver be permitted to retain his licence there was a real likelihood that he would continue to ply for hire in the future.  The Committee therefore determined that after consideration of all the facts, the driver’s licence be revoked.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report provides details of a driver’s recent conviction.

The Committee is recommended to consider what action to take, if any, with regard to the driver’s recent conviction.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

RESOLVED - That consideration of this item be deferred pending the applicant’s attendance at a future meeting of the Committee.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report provides details of a driver’s recent conviction.

The Committee is recommended to consider what action to take, if any, with regard to the driver’s recent conviction.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to consider whether the driver was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a hire car driver’s licence following the suspension of his hire car driver’s licence by the Committee on 23 September 2012.

The Committee interviewed the driver in relation to these matters. 

RESOLVED – That the Committee was satisfied that the driver was a fit and proper person to continue to be licensed as a hire car driver and that no further action be taken in respect of this matter and that in light of the charges for which the original suspension was imposed being dropped the suspension be lifted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report details an application for the grant of a licensed hire car driver’s licence.

The Committee is recommended to consider whether or not the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a drivers licence.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to consider the suitability of the applicant to be licensed as a private hire car driver following convictions for a number of offences being disclosed on a CRB check.

The Committee interviewed the applicant in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.

To consider a report of the Service Director (Place Management).

The report details an application for the grant of a licensed hire car driver’s licence.

The Committee is recommended to consider whether or not the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a drivers licence.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Service Director (Place Management) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Committee to consider the suitability of the applicant to be licensed as a private hire car driver following convictions for a number of offences being disclosed on a CRB check.

The Committee interviewed the applicant in relation to these matters.

RESOLVED – That the application be refused on the ground that the Committee did not consider that the applicant was a fit and proper person to be licenced as a hire car driver by virtue of the applicant’s recent convictions and his failure to declare the details of these upon making his application.