Visitors and members of the public who are unfamiliar with the building and procedures are advised that:

(a)      The fire alarm is a continuous loud ringing. In the event that a fire drill is planned during the meeting, the Chair will advise of this.

(b)      Exit routes from the chamber are located on each side of the room, one directly to a fire escape, the other to the stairs opposite the lifts.

(c)      In the event of the alarm sounding, leave the building via the nearest safe exit and gather at the assembly point on the far side of the car park. Do not leave the assembly point or re-enter the building until advised to do so. Do not use the lifts.

(d)      Anyone unable to use the stairs should make themselves known during this agenda item.

The Chair outlined the emergency evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 24 June 2024 (Minute Nos. 61 - 66) as a correct record.

To accept the Minutes of the following Licensing Sub-Committees:

27 November 2024 (Minute Nos. 390 – 394)

18 December 2024 (Minute Nos. 518 – 522)

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 24 June 2024 (Minute Nos. 61 – 66) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committees held on 27 November 2024 (Minute Nos. 390 – 394) and 18 December 2024 (Minute Nos. 518 – 522) were accepted by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or friends.

The Chair will ask Members if they have any disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or disclosable non-pecuniary interests (DNPIs) to declare in respect of items on the agenda. Members with a DPI in an item must leave the room for that item and may not participate in the debate or vote. 

Aside from disclosable interests, where a fair-minded and informed observer would think there was a real possibility that a Member might be biased or predetermined on an item, the Member should declare this and leave the room while that item is considered.

Members who are in any doubt about interests, bias or predetermination should contact the monitoring officer for advice prior to the meeting.

No interests were declared.

The Council operates a scheme of public speaking at meetings of the Licensing Committee. Requests to speak at the meeting must be registered by Democratic Services by noon on Friday 7 February 2025 and must be related to an item on the Agenda. Each speaker has a maximum of three minutes to speak.

No members of the public had registered to speak.

The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report which presented a draft of the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, set out at Appendix I of the report, and advised on the proposed consultation methodology to be used.  She drew attention to the proposed changes, set out at Appendix II.  The Department of Transport (DfT) Best Practice Guidance 2023 and the implications for Swale Borough Council (SBC), were set out at Appendix III.

The Licensing Team Leader referred to the items for discussion: Disability Awareness for Drivers; Topographical Tests for Private Hire Driver applicants; vehicle ages; environmental considerations; and Hackney Carriage (Taxi) Fares – Soilage Charge, as set out in the report.

The Chair invited questions from Members, and points raised included:

·         How in-depth was the topographical test?;

·         not sure that the tests were needed, given that most vehicles had satellite navigation fitted;

·         the electric vehicles (EVs) were expensive and there were few EV charging points on the eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey;

·         considered that the deadline for Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) by 1 April 2027 was unfair and unachievable;

·         concerned regarding the school run only licence, unless each vehicle and licence was clearly visible as such with a fixed sign on the vehicle; 

·         there had been a lot of issues since the topographical test was amended, aware that some taxi drivers had registered with companies outside the borough to avoid the topographical test;

·         considered that more work was required on the policy prior to going out to public consultation;

·         aware that some car manufacturers were offering deals on EVs;

·         drivers needed to be educated on the benefits of EVs, and make more of an effort to purchase them;

·         would not want to see the topographical test removed, as customers wanted to know that when they entered a hackney carriage vehicle the driver would use the shortest route;

·         there were not enough rapid EV charging units available;

·         the ULEV deadline should be extended to 2035;

·         EVs were the way forward and it was important that the Council ensured enough EV charging points were available;

·         the topographical test should remain as it was important, particularly for vulnerable customers, that drivers were ‘fit for purpose’;

·         the soilage charge should be increased to £100 in order to safeguard drivers; and

·         welcomed the consultation which would inform officers on any changes needed to the Policy.

In response, the Licensing Team Leader explained that the topographical test was in two sections, the first section involved questions on ‘places within the borough’, and the other section asked the applicants to pick the shortest route to a destination, both sections provided multiple choice answers.  The Licensing Team Leader explained that applicants needed to achieve high scores to pass the test, and officers considered there were safety risks in  removing the test, and also it might result in a reduction in Hackney Carriage Licenced Drivers.  She said that responses to the consultation would inform any potential amendments to the draft policy and also provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 645.

The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report which informed Members on the activities and performance of the licensing team during 2024, and showed aims and targets for the forthcoming year.

A Member queried why so many applicants had failed the Street Knowledge Test.  The Licensing Team Leader considered this was due to some drivers not being suitably prepared prior to taking the test.  In response to a question from a Member, she agreed to consider whether a mock test could be provided, and warned they had to be careful not to compromise the integrity of the test.

A Member welcomed the excellent report and praised the Licensing Team on their good work.

Councillor Lee-Anne Moore proposed the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Tom Nundy.

Resolved:

(1)      That the report be noted.