Hart Borough Council Licensing Committee Meeting

Councillor Harward was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman for the year 2023/24. Councillor Clarke proposed this nomination and was seconded by Councillor Delaney.

The minutes of 7 February 2023 were agreed and confirmed and signed as a correct record. The minutes were proposed by Councillor Delaney and seconded by Councillor Collins.

Apologies had been received from Councillors Farmer and Woods. Councillor Wright was a substitute for Councillor Farmer.  

None.

The Chairman had no announcements.

The Executive Director - Place highlighted that the Committee may want to discuss if holding a July Licensing Committee meeting is still required. It was agreed this would be discussed later in the meeting.

The Licensing Team Leader summarised the draft Shared Licensing Service Street Trading Policy. She highlighted that the only amendment was 4.3 of the draft policy which should be amended to say:

Does not cause the loss of regularly used parking spaces by residents and businesses.

Members questioned if this amendment would be highlighted in the consultation and how clearly this would be displayed. The Licensing Team Leader confirmed track changes would be used.

DECISION

The Committee approved the draft Shared Licensing Service Street Trading Policy for consultation and authorised the Executive Director – Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to make minor alterations and typographical corrections to the policy prior to consultation. Councillor Delaney proposed the recommendation, and it was seconded by Councillor Collins.

The Executive Director – Place highlighted that there were no items for the July Licensing Committee to consider. It was therefore recommended that the July Committee meeting should be cancelled. He also suggested that like Basingstoke and Deane Council, Hart District Council may want to reduce its six annual Licensing Committee meetings a year to four.

It was agreed by the Committee to cancel the next Licensing meeting on 4July.

The decision to reduce the number of meetings a year would be considered at full Council in January 2024 when the Committee’s dates are set. One Member said he would not be supportive of a reduction in Licensing meeting numbers.

The Executive Director – Place summarised that the September Licensing Committee meeting would have the 12-month review of Hackney Carriage Fares in accordance with the decision of the Licensing Committee in August 2022.

He continued that the November Licensing Committee would consider the Licensing Fees and Charges prior to consultation. This Item came to the February Licensing Committee this year, but the Committee considered it should come to an earlier meeting to allow full Council to debate all fees and charges in the February 2024 meeting. The Shared Licensing Taxi Policy and Shared Licensing Service Gambling Policy is also expected to be on November’s meeting agenda.   

Members questioned if the same Fees and Charges figures that will feature in the Budget would be available in November, and it was confirmed by the Executive Director – Place that they should be.