Agenda and minutes

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Venue: Meeting Rooms A & B - Town Hall. View directions

Contact: Nicole Tilly - Democratic Services Officer 

Items
No. Item

LSP.25

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members of the Licensing and Safety Panel are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any of the matters on the agenda, and if so, to formally declare that interest.  

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

LSP.26

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 55 KB

The minutes of the last meeting held on 18 April 2019 are attached.

Minutes:

Delegated decision:

 

That the Minutes of the Licensing and Safety Panel meeting held on 18 April 2019, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

LSP.27

OPERATIONAL REPORT pdf icon PDF 56 KB

A report by the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) is attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

                  The Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) submitted a report advising Members on operational issues within the Licensing Service.

 

                   The report set out updates in respect of the following issues:

 

Licensing Hearings Panel; A Panel meeting was held on 25 April in respect of Killon Street Off Licence, where it was resolved to modify the conditions of the licence.

 

The Licensing Unit Manager provided and update in respect of safeguarding training, common minimum standards, pre-requisite assessments and knowledge tests.

 

In response to a question concerning Clean Air across Greater Manchester, the Licensing Unit Manager reported on engagement with the Taxi trade through the Environmental Health Department and stated that information had been sent to all private hire operators. Further engagement is proposed.

 

      It was agreed:

 

                    That the report be noted.

 

LSP.28

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on any matters for which this Panel is responsible.

 

Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time if required.

Minutes:

                   Mr Charles Oakes, representing the Hackney Drivers Association and Bury Private Hire Association questioned why a number of complaints he had submitted had not been responded to.

 

                   The Head of Service (Trading Standards and Licencing) explained to Mr Oakes and the Panel that a large volume of complaints were being sent through various pathways which was confusing and unhelpful in terms of making sure responses are provided. An undertaking was given to provide Mr Oakes with the appropriate pathway and Mr Oakes was asked to provide a detailed list of those he believed remain outstanding. The Head of Legal Services highlighted the importance of clarifying whether things were being raised as formal complaints through the Complaints Procedure, general requests for information or Freedom of Information requests.

 

                   Mr Mahmood raised issues around inconsistencies with MOT testing and referred to individual cases which had been failed as a result of tinted glass and dust on the engine. The Licensing Unit Manager explained that he had already received a complaint on this issue. It was reported that the complaint had been acknowledged and would be responded to.

 

                   Mr Sajad raised the issue of Bury only having one MOT Station, which is currently out of use, with drivers having to travel to Bolton. In response the Head of Service (Trading Standards and Licencing) explained that following a fire at Bradley Fold MOT Station, as the station cannot be used, alternative provision was identified within 48 hours at a Station 4 miles away, with the capacity to test 50 vehicles per week. It was reported that MOT provision would be audited and reported back to this Panel.

 

                   In response to a question concerning MOT Certificates not being issued, the Licensing Unit Manager explained that licensed vehicles did not require an MOT but are issued with a certificate of compliance that exempts them from requiring an MOT Certificate. He explained this has additional requirements over and above an MOT and drivers should ensure their vehicles are prepared for such tests in advance. He further explained that re-test fees vary according to the number of faults a vehicle fails on.

 

LSP.29

VOTE OF THANKS

Minutes:

The Chair, Councillor Rafiq, placed on record his thanks to Councillor D  Jones, as outgoing Chair, for the hard work and commitment he had shown during his time as Chair. 

 

LSP.30

URGENT BUSINESS

Any other business, which by reason of special circumstances, the Chair agrees may be considered as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

There was no urgent business raised under this item.