Agenda and draft minutes

COVID 19 - Emergency Powers Group - Tuesday, 14th July, 2020 4.00 pm

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Contact: Julie Gallagher

Items
No.	Item
1.	Minor variation/TEN waiving of fees PDF 84 KB Minutes: The Council’s Licensing Service accept a minor variation process or a Temporary Event Notice for changes of use in outdoor areas and off sales of alcohol for Licensed Premises and for any approvals to be “time limited” until 1st December 2020 and fees for these applications be waived until 1st December 2020. It was agreed: Chair of Licensing, Leader of the Council, and Leader of the Conservative Group have been consulted and agreed with urgency of the decision. Councillor Powell, Leader of Liberal Democrat Group agreed via email the urgency of the decision Executive Director Operations can make decision with immediate effect and this will be reported to the next Licensing Committee
2.	Licensing service urgent decision PDF 75 KB Minutes: The Licensing Service are requesting authorisation for the following matters:- 1. To postpone the receipt of new applications for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers for a period of three months until the 30th September 2020. Applicants will not be able to satisfy the Council’s requisites due to the suspension of driving tests, safeguarding training, and communications test provided by other partner agencies as a result of Covid 19. 2. To suspend the requirement for medical examinations for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s renewal applications until the 30th September 2020. Drivers are required to produce medical certificates that prove that they meet the DVSA Group 2 Medical Fitness to drive. Drivers are experiencing difficulty getting medical appointments currently due to COVID19. The Licensing Service will require drivers to self-certify medical fitness and submit to medical examinations as required by the licensing authority once such appointments become easily available. 3. To issue a twelve month hackney carriage and private hire badge driver licence provided that all the requirements to hold the badge have been satisfied. To do this for a period of three months until the 30th September 2020, with a following review. This will provide some financial assistance to drivers only costing £60 instead of £180. 4. To suspend the provision of the required Private Hire & Hackney Carriage knowledge test for new applications until further notice due to the COVID 19. The reason for this is currently licensing staff subject to a review of the decision to reinstate the receipt of new applications. It was agreed: Chair of Licensing, Leader of the Council, and Leader of the Conservative Group have been consulted and agreed with urgency of the decision. Councillor Powell, Leader of Liberal Democrat Group agreed via email the urgency of the decision Executive Director Operations can make decision with immediate effect and this will be reported to the next Licensing Committee
3.	Hackney Carriage and private hire vehicle licenses PDF 75 KB Minutes: Request to extend all current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle licences by 3 months beyond their current expiry date which are due for renewal between the dates 1/6/2020 and 31/3/2021 and to move forward by 3 months all 6 monthly scheduled interim vehicle tests scheduled between 1/7/20 to 30/9/20. It was agreed: Chair of Licensing, Leader of the Council, Leader of the Conservative Group and Chair of Scrutiny have been consulted and agreed with urgency of the decision Councillor Powell, Leader of Liberal Democrat Group agreed via email the urgency of the decision Executive Director Operations can make decision with immediate effect and this will be reported to the next Licensing Committee
4.	Suspension of Annual Fees PDF 72 KB Minutes: The Council gives consideration not to suspend any Licensing Act 2003 premises licences for non-payment of the annual fee until 1 December 2020. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has agreed a consistent approach which has been referred to the Wider Leadership Team as part of a number of measures to assist licensed premises as part of the lockdown easing as businesses reopen. It was agreed: Chair of Licensing, Leader of the Council, Leader of the Conservative Group and Chair of Scrutiny have been consulted and agreed with urgency of the decision Councillor Powell, Leader of Liberal Democrat Group agreed via email the urgency of the decision Executive Director Operations can make decision with immediate effect and this will be reported to the next Licensing Committee COUNCILLOR E O’Brien Chair (Note: The meeting started at 4pm and ended at 4.30pm.)