Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing and Protection Committee held on 22nd October 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 22nd October 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 were received.

To consider the monitoring report on the delivery of Service Plans for Food Law Enforcement and Health and Safety Regulation for Quarter 3.

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 third quarter of 2025/26.

Following an enquiry by Councillor Beuttell, it was noted that report categories could be broken down by ward but that the data was valid on the day it was run.

Councillor Ferguson commented on the number of businesses, particularly those in his own ward, and observed that was an enormous effort and undertaking by the team.

Following a question from Councillor Banks, the Committee heard that the food and water sample target was currently at red status due to a closure of the lab for testing during part of the period. It was noted that testing was based on food during the period and that water testing could involve bodies of water such as swimming pools.

In response to a question from Councillor Wells about multiple notices being served on one business, it was clarified that this had been broken down into separate notices each covering a different piece of legislation.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

16:08 Councillor C Tevlin entered the meeting.

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.

Councillor Ferguson observed that whilst he had recently spoken to a resident regarding this matter, it was the first time the issue had been raised in a year which was a positive. He further observed that this illustrated that the PSPO had helped to resolve the matter for now and expressed his gratitude to the team for helping to make this work.

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 a positive trend in the area since the last report although it was observed that the issues tended to have a seasonal trend in this location.

Following which it was

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

To receive the Community Action Team Update Report for the period October to December 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 October to December 2025 was presented to the Committee.

Following an enquiry from Councillor Tevlin relating to electrical item bins in Hilton, the team assured the Committee that this would be investigated and resolved.

Following comments from Councillor Banks and Councillor Ferguson in relation to the prosecution for high hedges referenced in the report, the Committee were reassured that specific legislation was in place to cover such matters.

Councillor Kadewere commented on the swift and proactive approach undertaken by the Council in relation to fly-tipping.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

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 response to a question from Councillor Beuttell, the Committee heard that drivers over the age of 65 were instructed to provide proof of a medical on an annual basis and that the team had the power to suspend their Private Hire or Taxi Drivers Licence in the event that this not be provided.

Following a question from Councillor Banks, the Committee were assured that regular vehicle checks were in place and that the undertook both school transport and roadside vehicle checks in conjunction with partners including Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the DVLA.  

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 meeting of the Licensing and Protection Sub-Committee held since the last Committee meeting.

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

To resolve:-

that the public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

The Committee is invited to comment on the Licensing Manager Update.

The Committee gave consideration to an exempt report by the Licensing Manager (a copy of which was appended in the annex to the Minute Book) on the Licensing Manager Update Report which was presented to the Committee.