To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive details any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

There were no named substitutes at the meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 28th August 2007.

RESOLVED:            That the Minutes of the meeting held on 28th August, 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

To consider the proposed annual price review for Hackney Carriage Fares in Herefordshire.

The Licensing Officer presented the report of the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards about proposed increases in taxi fares. She said that the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 made provision for Local Licensing Authorities to set the rates/fares within the County together with distance and all other charges.  She also said that the existing fares were last reviewed and increased in October, 2006. Proposals for an increase in charges for taxi fares were published in the Hereford Times on 11th October 2007 with a two-week consultation period taking in the trade, interested parties and the public, which would end on 26th October, 2007.  The proposed increases were based on consideration of the annual inflation indices and submissions from the Herefordshire Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association.  It was proposed the new fares would take affect from 5th November, 2007.

The Committee considered the proposals fare structure and noted the financial pressures on the taxi trade and the anti-social hours involved. It was agreed that the new fare structure should be approved at the end of the consultation period, subject to there being no relevant adverse representations received.  The Licensing Manager said that if there were, she would refer the matter back to the Committee.

RESOLVED THAT

(i)            the proposed fare increase be agreed in principal subject to there being no relevant objections by the end of the consultation process, and that the Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards be delegated to implement them with effect from 5th November, 2007. 

(ii)           If any relevant objections are received, the matter be brought back to the Committee.

To note the procedural arrangements for the meeting.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS

In the opinion of the Proper Officer, the following item will not be, or is likely not to be, open to the public and press at the time it is considered.

RECOMMENDATION:            that under section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that the report contains information relating to an individual under paragraph 1 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Committee noted the procedural arrangements for hearing appeals to ensure that the laws of natural justice were followed to give a fair hearing for applicants and to the Licensing Officers.

To consider matters relating to the suspension of a hackney carriage/private hire driver’s license

In the absence of appellant, the Committee decided to defer consideration of the matter until its next meeting on 20th November, 2007.

The Principal Lawyer referred to an appeal lodged with the Magistrates Court by an applicant, arising from a decision made by the Committee at its meeting on 31st July, 2007to refuse to reinstate his drivers licence.  He said that the Magistrates had upheld the appeal and had decided to award costs against the Council.  The Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards was preparing a policy document about such issues for consideration by the Committee.  Extensive consultation was taking place with interested parties and would include the Area Legal Manager of the Magistrates with a view to attempting to agree a more consistent approach regarding appeals which would be in harmony with that of the Council.