Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 8 October 2014 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in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of items (if any) on the agenda which are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the categories set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).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be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Items 8-10 to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication relating to an individual as defined in Category 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the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 applicants 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.

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 urgent action to suspend twenty hire car driver’s licences pending receipt of a medical report.

RESOLVED – That the urgent decisions 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 advises members of a number of changes in relation to compliance testing of hackney cab and private hire vehicles.  The report also advises members on certain changes to the Knowledge Test for new applicants to be hackney or private hire car drivers.

The Committee is requested to note the report and the proposed changes.

Officer Contact:  Peter Cooke on 474 4851 or 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 a number of changes in relation to compliance testing of hackney cab and private hire vehicles.  The report also advised members on certain changes to the Knowledge Test for new applicants to be hackney or private hire drivers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report advises Members of an appropriate policy to regulate street trading.

The Committee is requested to note the report and endorse the adoption of the policy set out within the report to cover the issue of Street Trading.

Officer contact:  Patrick Ware on 474 4188 or email: Patrick.ware@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 an appropriate policy to regulate street trading.

The purpose of the policy was to set out a framework for the management of street trading in Stockport by regulating the location and number of street traders in Stockport.  In doing so, the Council aimed to create a street trading environment which complemented premises-based trading, and was sensitive to the needs of residents, provided diversity and consumer choice and which sought to enhance the character, ambience and safety of local environments.  The policy also sought to ensure that activities did not cause nuisance or annoyance to the people of the Borough and prevented the obstruction of the streets of Stockport by street trading activities.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the following:

(1)  The introduction of the street trading policy as set out in the document     entitled ‘Stockport Street Trading Policy November 2014’.

(2)  The amendments to conditions as set out in Appendix A of the document entitled ‘Stockport Street Trading Policy November 2014’.

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

The report details an application for the grant of a Licensed Hire Car Driver’s Licence after consideration of the information contained in the Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure (previously Criminal Records Bureau).

The Committee is requested to consider whether to grant this application.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@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 or not the driver was a fit and proper person to hold a Licensed Hire Car Driver’s Licence after consideration of the information contained in the Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure.

The Committee interviewed the applicant in relation to this matter.

RESOLVED – That the application be granted.

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

The report details a licensed hire car driver’s Police Caution and his failure to notify the licensing section of the caution.

The Committee is requested to consider whether or not the driver is a fit and proper person to continue to hold a hire care driver’s licence.

Officer contact: Ian O’Donnell on 474 4175 or email: ian.odonnell@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 or not the driver was a fit and proper person to continue to hold a hire car driver’s licence following a police caution and his failure to notify the licensing authority of the caution.

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

RESOLVED – That in the light of the driver’s police caution and his failure to notify the licensing authority of that caution, the driver’s licence be suspended for a one week period.

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

The report details the recent conviction of a licensed hire car driver.

The Committee is requested to consider whether or not the driver is a fit and proper person to continue to hold a hire car driver’s licence.

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

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which informed members of the recent conviction of a licensed hire car driver.

RESOLVED – That the driver’s private hire licence be revoked due to the serious nature of the offence and the fact that he was on the sex offenders register indefinitely, meaning that the driver was not a fit and proper person to hold a Stockport licensed hire car driver licence.