Agenda and minutes

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Of the meeting held on 6^th March 2023 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th March 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

For Committee to:

1.   Note the contents of the report and in particular the review undertaken into the Council’s existing special policy of cumulative impact, approved in July 2020

2.   Approve the undertaking of a 6-week consultation with relevant stakeholders, businesses and members of the public on a proposal to maintain the Council’s Cumulative Impact Policy without amendment, as contained within the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, at Appendix 1.

3.   Note that a further report will be presented to this Committee with the consultation feedback included, in order for a final decision to be taken.

Officers presented a review of the Cumulative Impact Policy, undertaken every three years. Responsible Authorities had been contacted as part of the review process and fed back that they were content with the policy in its current form and believed it was working well.

Members of the public and potential stakeholders had the opportunity to contribute to the consultation process via Council’s website.

Sgt Hallam from West Mercia Police responded to comments regarding Worcester’s night time economy and confirmed that in relation to drink spiking most front line staff had awareness of how to respond appropriately, and where Police attended reported incidents of drink spiking, samples were taken and assessed. Many licensed premises had their own testing kits, and Police officers worked closely with the University to raise awareness during Freshers’ week.

Committee Members were aware that funding had been agreed by the Council’s Place and Economic Development Committee to raise awareness of drink spiking amongst bar staff and requested that a briefing report be brought to the next Committee meeting with a breakdown of how funds had been allocated.

RESOLVED: That Committee:

1.   Notes the contents of the report and in particular the review undertaken into the Council’s existing special policy of cumulative impact, approved in July 2020

2.   Approves the undertaking of a 6-week consultation with relevant stakeholders, businesses and members of the public on a proposal to maintain the Council’s Cumulative Impact Policy without amendment, as contained within the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, at Appendix 1.

3.   Notes that a further report will be presented to this Committee with the consultation feedback included, in order for a final decision to be taken.

For Committee to:

·        Note the contents of the report, and in particular the consultation feedback document at Appendix 1.

·       Recommend to Council that it:

                   i.        Approves an amendment to the existing hackney carriage and private hire vehicle policy, to include that ‘No lower or upper age limit restrictions will apply in respect of ‘all fully electric’ new and replacement hackney carriage and private hire vehicles presented to the Council for licensing’.

                  ii.        Approves an amendment to the existing hackney carriage vehicle age policy, to state ‘The current lower vehicle age limit applicable to all new, replacement and temporary hackney carriage vehicles is 5 years from the date of first registration’.

Officers presented a report reviewing the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Age policy. The proposal was to extend the age limit of vehicles presented for licensing from 3 years or less to 5 years or less, and to remove any age limits for electric vehicles.

Officers confirmed that this would not affect the standard of vehicles licensed in terms of emissions etc, since they would have to be submitted for two tests per year in accordance with the current regime. All licensed vehicles were currently required to meet the Euro 4 standard for petrol vehicle emissions, and Euro 6 for diesel.

A number of new vehicle technologies were discussed, with Officers confirming that they would be considered in relation to licensing policy as and when they came into mainstream production.

Whilst feedback about electric private hire/hackney carriage vehicles in neighbouring authorities was generally positive, it was acknowledged that the City was some way away from an all-electric taxi fleet.

RESOLVED: That Committee

1.   Notes the contents of the report, and in particular the consultation feedback document at Appendix 1.

2.   Recommends to Council that it:

·        Approves an amendment to the existing hackney carriage and private hire vehicle policy, to include that ‘No lower or upper age limit restrictions will apply in respect of ‘all fully electric’ new and replacement hackney carriage and private hire vehicles presented to the Council for licensing’.

·        Approves an amendment to the existing hackney carriage vehicle age policy, to state ‘The current lower vehicle age limit applicable to all new, replacement and temporary hackney carriage vehicles is 5 years from the date of first registration’.

Which in the opinion of the Chair is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

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