No apologies had been received.

The Minutes of the previous Licensing Committee held on 26^th July 2022 were agreed as a true record.

The Minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 15^th July 2022 were agreed as a true record.

The Minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 20^th July 2022 were agreed as a true record.

The Minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 17^th August 2022 were agreed as a true record.

The Minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 7^th October 2022 were agreed as a true record.

This report set out the process and methodology for the setting of Licence Fees associated with licence applications under the remit of the Licensing Committee and proposed the licencing fees for consultation where necessary for the 2023-2024 financial year.

Mr Adams, Licensing Manager, was present at the meeting and briefly summarised the report.

Cllr Tanner MOVED and Cllr Barber SECONDED the recommendations within the report.

Following discussion a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

To agree for the proposed fees and charges as set out in Appendix A for the 2023- 2024 financial year to go out to public consultation.

Reasons for Recommendation

It is important that all licence fees are subject to regular review to ensure that they remain reasonable and proportionate. Where there is to be a significant change to the licensing fee, sufficient consultation must be undertaken to ensure compliance with legislation and to seek a balanced view of the proposed changes.

Brentwood Borough Council have a street Trading Licence Scheme that covers the High Street, Brentwood, and an associated Policy. This report introduced a revised policy for consideration before consultation, which looks to extend the scheme to include the whole borough with a combination of street trading licence and street trading consent schemes.

Mr Adams, Licensing Manger introduced this report.

Cllr Tanner MOVED and Cllr Barber SECONDED the recommendations within the report.

Following discussion a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

1.     Agree to begin the statutory consultation for the proposal to extend the street trading provisions across the whole borough of Brentwood.

2.     Agree for the revised Street Trading Policy attached at Appendix B of the report to go out for public consultation.

3.     For the results of both consultations to be reported back to this committee for consideration.

Reasons for Recommendation

The extension of the street trading scheme required a new resolution to be passed, which requires the statutory requirements to be met as in 2.4.

The revised policy requires consultation, and the results of both consultations will be reported to and considered by this committee.

The DFT have published the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards which set out the minimum standards for licensing authorities to apply with regards to certain aspects of taxi licensing. A policy has been developed that brings together the Council’s existing policies and procedures into one policy document, reviewing areas of existing policy to ensure that the minimum standards are met. This report considers the consultation responses and proposes a final policy version ready for adoption.

Mr Adams, Licensing Manger introduced the report.

Cllr Tanner MOVED and Cllr Barber SECONDED the recommendations within the report.

Following discussion a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

1.     Consider the consultations response as in Appendix B along with the officer comments in Appendix C of the report.

2.     Agree the Taxi Licensing Policy as attached at Appendix A be adopted and to come into effect from the 1st February 2023.

Reasons for Recommendation

The Policy has been revised by officers following the comments received.

After consideration of the consultation comments, the policy may be amended if the committee feels necessary.

[Cllr Fryd declared a non-pecuniary interest as a retired taxi driver.]

There were no items of urgent business.

                                                  The meeting concluded at 19.22