Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 19 November 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in the public interest to exclude the public during the consideration of items (if any) on the agenda which are marked "not for publication" by virtue of the categories set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were no items that were marked ‘Not for Publication’ included on the agenda for the meeting.

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

No declarations were made.

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).

No public questions were submitted.

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

The report details proposed amendments to licensing fees and charges for the forthcoming financial year, 2015/16.

The Committee is requested to approve the proposed licence fees for 2015/16 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Officer contact: Peter Cooke on 474 4851 or email: peter.cooke@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing proposed amendments to licensing fees and charges for the 2015/16 financial year.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the proposed licencing fees and charges for 2015/16 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

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

The report advises members of the results of a survey undertaken by Vector Transport Consultancy Limited at the end of 2014.

The Committee is requested to consider the results of the report commissioned in relation to the provision of taxi and private hire vehicles in the Borough, and to decide on the most appropriate action in relation to the issuing of taxi licences.

Officer contact: Peter Cooke on 474 4851 or email: peter.cooke@stockport.gov.uk

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

RESOLVED – (1) That in the light of the conclusion within the Unmet Demand Survey that there was no evidence of unmet demand at present, no additional new Hackney Carriage Licences shall be issued.

(2) That the Index of Significant Unmet Demand values registered at the Chestergate Taxi Rank be noted.

(3) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be recommended to give further consideration to ensuring that there was effective provision of taxi ranks that best met the needs of all parties with particular consideration being given to additional taxi ranks at those locations identified within the report, specifically:-

·         Warren Street

·         Peel Centre

·         Heaton Moor, near the Elizabethan public house.

·         Bramhall, near Napa on Bramhall Lane South

·         Hazel Grove, locations along the A6 London Road, between Brewer’s Green (ASDA) and Torkington Road

(4) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be recommended to make the necessary arrangements for the remarking of the existing taxi rank and associated parking and waiting restrictions at St Petersgate, Stockport to facilitate the use of this rank by taxis to better serve demand from the night time economy in central Stockport.

(5) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be recommended to liaise with Stockport NHS Foundation Trust to address identified problems around the accessibility of taxi services for disabled passengers at Stepping Hill Hospital with particular consideration being given to the provision of a taxi rank at the hospital.

(6) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be requested to undertake a further Unmet Demand Survey in three years’ time to further review the situation in the prevailing conditions at the time.

(7) That the Corporate Director for Place Management & Regeneration be recommended to consider other observations in the report and to prepare an update for a future meeting of the Committee outlining the response of the Council to those observations.