Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings of the Licensing and Protection Committee held on 19th March 2025 and 15th May 2025.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 19th March 2025 and 15th May 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary, other registerable and non registerable interests in relation to any Agenda Item. See Notes below.

No declarations of interest were received.

To consider a report on actions taken under the powers delegated by the Licensing and Protection Committee.

The Committee gave consideration to a report by the Licensing Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on Suspension and Revocation of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licenses.

In the ensuing discussion, Councillor Ferguson noted that it was good to have a clear record of how the Council dealt with drivers, especially those who had fallen foul of the DVLAs penalty points system.

Following enquiries from Councillors Banks, Beuttell, Gardener and Ferguson, the Committee heard that work was ongoing in relation to a potential future requirement to install CCTV within private hire vehicles and that further information would be presented to the Committee in the future.

In response to a question from Councillor Kadewere, the Committee heard that the accumulative total of penalty points on individuals licences were recorded and that resulting action was taken as appropriate.

It was noted that a proposed paper on vehicle checks would be circulated to the Committee over the summer and further noted that this was subject to an ongoing contract.

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

The Committee is invited to consider the proposed amendment within the report and approve the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

By means of a report by the Licensing Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy was presented to the Committee.

Having presented the report, Councillor Ferguson stated that he was in full support of the policy and was happy to remove any confusion to the public. Following an enquiry from the Chair Councillor Wells, it was further clarified to the Committee that comparisons had been made to best practice from Transport for London and larger authorities and that source material was included within the supporting documentation.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the proposed amendment be noted and that the Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy be approved to take effect from the 6th June 2025.

To consider the monitoring report on the delivery of Service Plans for Food Law Enforcement and Health and Safety Regulation for Quarter 4.

By means of a report by the Environmental Health Service Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Committee received and noted the Monitoring Report on the Delivery of the Food Law Enforcement and Health and Safety Service Plans during the fourth quarter of 2024/25.

Councillor Ferguson gave his thanks to Officers in getting back to the Business as Usual standard following the Covid era and praised this exceptional achievement with limited resources.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

The Committee is invited to comment on and approve the Service Plan for Food Law Enforcement 2025-26.

By means of a report by the Environmental Health Service Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy was presented to the Committee.

In response to a question from Councillor Wells, the Committee heard that a full time position had been recruited to with an imminent start date. It was acknowledged, following a further question from Councillor Wells, that there was not routine liaison with Anglian Water due to a lack of regular engagement from that agency.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

1. that the Service Plan for Food Public Key Decision – No Law Enforcement 2025-26 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution be approved; and
2. that quarterly reports to monitor progress against the Service Plan be established.

The Committee is invited to comment on and approve the Service Plan for Health and Safety Regulation 2025-26.

By means of a report by the Licensing Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy was presented to the Committee.

During the following discussion, it was advised that wording had changed since the previous year along with priorities which was reflected within the report.

Following an enquiry from Councillor Gardener in relation to Marina safety standards, the Committee heard that in the case of Marinas where the Council enforce health and safety then this would include the power and pontoons of the marina but not the boats themselves. It was agreed for any specific examples to be further discussed outside of the meeting.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

1. that the Service Plan for Health and Safety Regulation 2025-26 (Appendix 1) in accordance with the Council’s Constitution be approved; and
2. that quarterly reports to monitor progress against the annual Service Plan for Health and Safety Regulation 2025-26 be established.

a)  St Neots Eynesbury

To receive an update on the Public Spaces Protection Order for Eynesbury which was put into place on 17th July 2024.

b)  Ramsey

To receive an update on the Public Spaces Protection Order for Ramsey which was put into place on 7th November 2024.

By means of two reports by the Community Safety Partnership Delivery Officer (copies of which were appended in the Minute Book) updates on the Public Spaces Protection Orders for Eynesbury and Ramsey were presented to the Committee.

Councillor Costello observed that the area covered by the Ramsey order may need to be extended, the Committee heard that this would be investigated by Officers and actioned as appropriate.

RESOLVED

that the reports be received and noted.

To receive a summary of the meetings of the Licensing and Protection Sub-Committees that have taken place since the last meeting of the Committee.

By means of a report by the Democratic Services Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Committee was acquainted with the outcome of a recent meeting of the Licensing and Protection Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

The Committee is invited to comment on the Communitt Action Team Update Report.

By means of a report by the Community Action Team Leader (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), an Update from the Community Action Team covering the period January to April 2025 was presented to the Committee.

In response to a question from Councillor Beuttell in relation to the access to the Peterborough Refuse Centre being restricted to Peterborough residents, the Committee heard that there had been a slight increase in flytipping over the period but that this had not be geographically focussed in the north of the district.

Councillor Gardener gave his thanks to Officers for the report and requested that comparative data from previous years would be helpful in order to measure successes. Councillor Ferguson observed that the quarterly Corporate Performance reports which were seen by both the Overview and Scrutiny (Performance and Growth) Panel and Cabinet contained many details on performance for the service and could be viewed online as part of the meeting agendas for those Committees. He noted that the report demonstrated the significant levels of work undertaken in order to improve the district for residents.

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

To receive the 2025-26 Calendar of Meetings for the Licensing and Protection Committee.

By means of a report by the Democratic Services Officer (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) the Committee noted the 2025-26 Calendar of Meetings and discussed the 2pm timing of the Licensing and Protection meetings. It was decided to gain a consensus via email as to whether a move to 5pm would be more agreeable to all members, following which a decision would be communicated to the Committee via the Chair.