Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K. Howell, H. Jones and B.D.J. Philips.

There were no declarations of personal interests.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee “A” held on the 16^th August, 2022 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee “A” held on the 16^th August, 2022 be signed as a correct record.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on the 12^th July, 2022 be signed as a correct record.

The Committee was advised that following Councillor L. Roberts’ appointment onto the Licensing Committee, replacing Councillor M. Cranham, it would need to appoint her to the subsequent vacancy on Licensing Sub Committee ‘B’.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor L. Roberts be appointed to serve on Licensing Sub Committee ‘B’.

The Committee considered a report which provided information on requests that had been received to increase the current maximum table of fares as a result of the increasing overheads incurred by the Taxi trade. 

The report included the following options to restructure to the current hackney carriage maximum table of fares:-

·      Option 1 Proposed by HAC (Hackney Association Carmarthenshire);

• Option 2 Proposed by Members of the trade Tariff;

·      Option 3 Proposed by Members of the trade.

The Senior Licensing Officer orated the following statistics and indicators relevant to the taxi trade:-

·      Fuel costs;

o   March 2011 UK average petrol and diesel prices

o   December 2021 UK average petrol and diesel prices

o   July 2022 UK Average Petrol and Diesel Prices

o   October 2022 UK Average Petrol and Diesel Prices

o   Current costs of unleaded and Diesel from local fuel stations –Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli

·      National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage Rates

o   Current rates

o   Rates before April 2016

·      UK National League Table (including Wales) – Based on 2 Mile Journey on Tariff 1.

In consideration of the information provided, it was reported that since the last tariff increase in 2022, the financial climate had further declined with the cost of living increasing rapidly.

The Senior Licensing Officer explained that in October 2021 the taxi trade in Carmarthenshire were consulted on a request received to increase the hackney carriage maximum table of fares. In response to the consultation, 513 Drivers and 80 replies was received with 79 in favour of increase.

The Licensing Committee, at its meeting held on 15^th December, 2021 considered the proposal to increase the hackney carriage maximum table of fares request.  In considering this request, the Committee took into account various factors such as fuel costs, running costs, minimum wage, cost of living, comparisons in tariffs with neighbouring authorities and other authorities in Wales and the UK, and the time since the tariff was last increased.  The Committee resolved to advertise the new proposal in the local press at a cost of just under £3,000 to the Authority and subject to no objections being received the tariff would take effect.  On the 17^th January, 2022 the new tariff took effect in Carmarthenshire as no objections were received from the public.

In response to the sharp rise in fuel costs, the Licensing Section during July 2022 sought views and proposals from 500 taxi drivers in Carmarthenshire.  The licensing section received 6 responses with suggestions in relation to the tariffs.

It was explained that the proposed options for Committee consideration today were forwarded in September 2022 as part of a consultation to the 500 taxi drivers in Carmarthenshire.  Out of the 18 replies in total received from the trade;

·      13 were in favour of Option 1

·      1 was in favour of Option 2

·      2 were in Favour of Option 3

·      2 did not want an increase.

A representative from the Hackney Association Carmarthenshire was present in the meeting and was duly afforded the opportunity to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

THE REPORTS RELATING TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS THEY CONTAIN EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 12 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007 AS THEY CONTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL.

IF, FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST, THE COMMITTEE RESOLVES PURSUANT TO THE ACT TO CONSIDER THESE ITEMS IN PRIVATE, THE PUBLIC WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE MEETING DURING SUCH CONSIDERATION.

RESOLVED, pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items as the reports contained exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

The Committee was informed that Mr Craig Allan Richard Morgan of 16 Penydre, Bryntirion, Llanelliwas a licensed hackney carriage/private hire dual driver with this Authority.

The Senior Licensing Officer informed the Committee members of the issues that had arisen in respect of his license. 

The Committee interviewed Mr Morgan with regard to the issues raised by the Senior Licensing Officer.

The Senior Licensing Officer recommended that Mr Morgan be issued with a warning as to his future conduct

The Committee thereupon:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to retire into private session in order to receive legal advice pursuant to Paragraph 16 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that, in line with the Council’s guidelines, Mr Craig Allan Richard Morgan be issued with a warning as to his future conduct.

The Committee considered an application from Mrs Abigail Rachel Jones of 44 Stepney Road, Garnant, Ammanford for the grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Driver’s Licence.

The Senior Licensing Officer informed the Committee members of the issues that had arisen in respect of her license. 

The Committee interviewed Mrs Jones with regard to her application and the issues raised by the Senior Licensing Officer.

The Senior Licensing Officer recommended that Mrs Jones application be granted with a warning as to her future conduct.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the application submitted by Mr Mrs Abigail Rachel Jones for the grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Driver’s Licence be granted with a warning as to her future conduct.

The Committee considered an application from Mr Andrew Paul Rees of 56 Maestir, Llanelli for the grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Driver’s Licence.

The Senior Licensing Officer informed the Committee members of the issues that had arisen in respect of his license. 

The Committee interviewed Mr Rees with regard to his application and the issues raised by the Senior Licensing Officer.

The Senior Licensing Officer recommended that Mr Rees be refused.

The Committee thereupon:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to retire into private session in order to receive legal advice pursuant to Paragraph 16 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED that the application submitted by Mr Andrew Paul Rees for the grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Driver’s Licence be granted with a warning as to his future conduct.

Reason

On the evidence presented the Committee was satisfied that the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a licence.