Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director (Operations) is attached.

The Executive Director (Operations) submitted a report advising Members on operational issues within the Licensing Service.

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

COMPLIANCE/ENFORCEMENT

The Licensing Service have dealt with compliance and enforcement

matters on a number of occasions between the 28^th September to the 24^th

October and these details were included in the report attached to the

agenda packs.

ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TAXI TRADE – Stage 2

Following a trade liaison meeting on the 22^nd September 2021, a further taxi trade liaison meeting took place on the 27^th October 2021. The Licensing Unit Manager briefed national and local trade representatives on the final stage 2 proposals of the common minimum licensing standards relating to vehicles. This was ahead of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting on the 29^th October 2021.

LICENSING HEARINGS SUB-COMMITTEE HEARINGS

A hearing for an application of the grant of a Premises Licence in respect

of Fuel Up, Manchester Road, Bury, to which two representations were

received from Greater Manchester Police and an interested party. The

Sub-Committee considered the report and heard the representations.

Members resolved to grant the application and attached the conditions

agreed with Greater Manchester Police.

A hearing for an application of the grant of a Premises Licence in respect

of Shop Local A-Z, 58 Walmsley Road, Bury, to which representations

were received from Greater Manchester Police and four interested parties.

The Sub-Committee considered the report and heard the representations.

Members resolved to grant the licence subject to the agreed conditions

from Greater Manchester Police and the additional conditions volunteered

by the applicant.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT FREE FACE COVERING DISTRIBUTION

PROGRAMME FOR PASSENGERS AND WORKERS

The Licensing Service had circulated to the trade representatives and

private hire operators information on the above programme. The offer to

transport bodies of contingency face coverings for use by passengers and

workers, at zero cost has been extended to reflect the current expectation

and recommendation that people wear face coverings in crowded areas

such as public transport, as well as help reduce transmission rates during

the winter period.

NEW ONLINE CHECKER FOR GREATER MANCHESTER CLEAN AIR ZONE

The Licensing Service had sent out emails to all private hire operators,

trade representatives and licensed drivers regarding a new online checker

for the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone that TFGM are administering.

The information sent stated the following:

In May 2022, Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone (CAZ) would be implemented across the city region to improve air quality now and for future generations. From late January 2021, applications will be open for financial support to upgrade or retrofit non-compliant taxis and PHVs.

Early application is encouraged to ensure applicants are well-placed to access the available funding. A new online checker was now available on cleanairgm.com/prepare to enable vehicle owners to find out if their vehicle is affected by the Clean Air Zone and whether they are eligible for financial support.

BURY HACKNEY ASSOCIATION

The Licensing Service have recently been notified that a new hackney

association has been set up to represent the Hackney carriage

drivers/proprietors following a meeting that took place on the 21^st October

2021.

The Chairman of the association is Mr Khalid Hussain and the Licensing

Service would invite the Bury Hackney Association to any future trade

liaison meetings with the Council.

The Chair placed on record her thanks to the Licensing Department for all their hard work over the last 18 months.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.