Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Protection Committee held on 5th June 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 5th June 2025  were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair expressed his thanks to Councillor Gardener who was no longer a member of the Committee and welcomed Councillor Tevlin back to the Committee.

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

Councillor N Wells declared an other registerable interest in Minute 25/20 by virtue of being a St Ives Town Councillor.

To consider the Air Quality Review and Assessment Report and to seek authority for the revocation of the Huntingdon Air Quality Management Area.

By means of a report by the Environmental Health Officer (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Air Quality Review and Assessment – Revocation of Huntingdon Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) Report was presented to the Committee.

In response to a question from Councillor Jordan, the Committee heard that monitoring was ongoing with points positioned around the district to give continuous data and that the team reacted to this data as appropriate. Councillors were advised to notify the team of any concerns they were aware of to enable ‘hotspot’ monitoring.

It was confirmed to the Committee, following an observation from Councillor Banks, that the team were aware of green walls and their benefits to both the local environment and it’s air quality.

Following further questions from Councillors Wells and Kadewere, the Committee were advised that this was a robust approach and that there was no middle ground hence the recommendation.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

that the Environmental Health Service Manager be authorised take appropriate steps to revoke the Huntingdon AQMA.

To consider the monitoring report on the delivery of Service Plans for Food Law Enforcement and Health and Safety Regulation for Quarters 1 and 2.

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 first and second quarter of 2025/26.

Following an observation by Councillor Beuttell, it was noted that future reports would benefit of a breakdown of inspection locations by ward.

In response to questions from Councillor Banks and Jordan, the Committee heard that sweets originating from other countries may contain different ingredients to those produced in the UK and that there were different standards to ingredients across regions.

It was clarified, in response to a question from Councillor Kadewere, that companies must register at least 28 days before trading commenced but that some may choose to register several months ahead, therefore they may not yet be trading at the time of inspection.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

16:18 Councillor C Tevlin entered the meeting.

To consider and note the CCTV in Taxis Consultation Report

By means of a report by the Licensing Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the CCTV in Taxis – Consultation Update Report was presented to the Committee.

The Committee heard that some drivers had in-cab CCTV as a condition on their licence and that the Sub-Committee has the authority to add this if necessary. It was also noted that in-cab CCTV was mandated by South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council but not by Fenland District Council nor Peterborough City Council.

The Committee heard, following an enquiry by Councillor Beuttell, that CCTV footage had been found helpful in dispute cases to clarify situations but that longer term feedback on the usefulness of the technology would be sought.

Councillor Kadewere expressed that another consultation would be good in order to ascertain the publics thoughts on the matter as he observed that the trade has a vested interest in the matter. Following which the Committee heard that the communications plan for further consultations would look at how best to engage with the public.

Councillor Clarke echoed the sentiment of Councillor Kadewere being in favour of the measure being brought in, and suggested phasing in the requirement via new applicants and renewals. The Committee were advised that CCTV in taxis was a standard cost but that the consultation would explore further to allow for more defined costs. It was also noted that a consideration would need to be made around the identity of the data controller.

Following a question from Councillor Jordan, the Committee heard that there were general concerns around privacy and not necessarily the cost of the technology.

In response to a further question from Councillor Wells, it was advised that where the use of the technology was voluntary, the driver would remain the data controller of the footage and that would adhere with the existing policy.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted and that, following a further period of engagement and consultation, an updated report would be prepared and presented to the Licensing and Protection Committee for their consideration. 

To consider the Street Trading Policy Report and to approve the designation of all streets within the district to be consented streets and to approve the proposed consent fees.

By means of a report by the Licensing Officer (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book), the Street Trading Policy and Consent of the District Report was presented to the Committee.

In response to a question from Councillor Beuttell, it was clarified to the Committee that currently trade for up to 15 minutes was allowed and that static units such as sandwich vans had consented times agreed. It was noted that the report was seeking to streamline the process and that a full pavement licence would still be required if applicable.

Councillor Jordan commented on an excellent concise report, a sentiment which was echoed by the Committee.

It was clarified to the Committee, following an enquiry from Councillor Clarke, that this Policy would allow for street trading pitches to be assessed on a case by case basis and would not affect pedestrian access along public footpaths.

Councillor Kadewere expressed that he was in favour of the Policy, and in response to a further question, the Committee heard that without the Consent of the District traders would be free to trade wherever they desired as the Council would not have any powers on the matter. It was further clarified that there were a number of consented streets within the district, however the Consent of the District would allow for a case by case assessment. It was also noted that there were safeguards within the Policy to revoke consent for either a trader or a street should that be deemed necessary.

It was clarified to the Committee, following an enquiry by Councillor Howell, that food businesses should be registered with the Local Authority within which they were based – with the exception of being a sole trader within a district - but that they would also require the consent of the Local Authority within which they were operating to trade there.

It was advised that the Licensing Team currently regulated DBS checks for taxi drivers and that this would be extended with this Policy due to the attendance of unsupervised children.

In response to a further question from Councillor Jordan, the Committee heard that there were some general exclusions to the Policy, including travelling fairs, fetes, carnivals and those held on private land. It was advised that the Policy was aimed at commercial businesses.

Following a question from Councillor Wells, the Committee were advised that other neighbouring Councils had similar Policies and that these had been used for benchmarking. It was also clarified that the St Ives and Huntingdon market locations were included under 1.19 but that there was a caveat to be subject to change. It was further advised that consultees with a submitted response would be responded to.

Following which, it was

RESOLVED

that the designation of all streets within the district to be consented streets and the proposed consent fees be approved.

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.

Councillor Banks observed that the amount of identified vehicle defects was a concern and applauded the team for identifying and resolving these issues.

Following a question from Councillor Kadewere, it was confirmed that vehicles over 8 years old required a 6 monthly inspection to ensure they were deemed safe and roadworthy.

Councillor Jordan observed that the compliance action undertaken by the Licensing Team gave a strong message that action would be taken against non-compliance and was reassuring to the public.

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

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

By means of a report by the Community Safety Partnership Delivery Officer (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) an update on the Public Spaces Protection Order for Eynesbury was presented to the Committee.

It was noted that following an annual review, it had been to continue the order for a further year and that there had been no breeches between June to September 2025.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

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

By means of a report by the Community Safety Partnership Delivery Officer (a copy of which was appended in the Minute Book) an update on the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Ramsey was presented to the Committee.

It was noted that there had been 8 reports over a four month period. It was also noted that a prosecution had been pursued in the area. It was observed that the CCTV in the area was a permanent fixture. It was further advised that due to some displacement issues with the PSPO, the area had been extended and would continue to be monitored.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

To receive the Community Action Team Update Report for the period July to September 2025.

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 July to September 2025 was presented to the Committee.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

that the report 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.