Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director (Corporate Core) is attached.

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

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

The Licensing Service had dealt with a number of compliance and enforcement matters between the 1^st December 2025 and the 1^st February 2026.

LICENSING HEARINGS SUB- COMMITTEES

On the 18^th December 2025, the Licensing Hearings Sub Committee considered an application to vary the Designated Premises Supervisor for the Towler Inn, 460 Walmsley Road, Bury. Members heard the evidence for Greater Manchester Police and decided to refuse the application and remove the DPS. 

Also on the 18^th December 2025, the Licensing Hearings Sub Committee considered an application for the grant of a premises licence for Thani Whitefield, 190-194 Bury New Road, Whitefield. Members heard the evidence and decided to grant the application subject to conditions.

On the 19^th December 2025, the Licensing Hearings Sub Committee considered an application vary the premises licence for Rawas Indian Street Food, 453 Bury New Road, Prestwich. Members heard the evidence and decided to grant the variation in the terms requested and agreed during the hearing, noting the opening hours would remain the same.  

IMMEDIATE SUSPENSIONS

The Licensing Service were continuing, following consultation with the Chair, to immediately suspend drivers who do not have a valid subscription with the DBS update Service. Since the last Licensing and Safety Committee on the 11^th December 2025, a further 55 drivers had been suspended.

PARTNERSHIP WORKING

Licensing Enforcement Officers worked alongside Greater Manchester Police for three evenings over the Christmas Period including “Mad Friday” visiting licensed premises, giving advice and ensuring compliance with conditions. A number of issues were identified and dealt with.

Officers from Trading Standards and Licensing alongside Wagtail (Dora the tobacco dog) worked together on a day of action. Dora and her handler are from wagtail who work in partnership with Trading Standards.  The partnership worked in action across the borough, visiting off licences, mini markets, and newsagents.  The visits took place across the borough, from Prestwich though to Ramsbottom.  Dora was on hand to find all the concealed hiding places, with seven premises visited, a total of 1300 packets of illegal cigarettes, 200 pouches of illegal hand rolling tobacco, 127 illegal vapes along with 38 counterfeit and unsafe toys were seized which had a street value of around £25,000. Councillor Morris and James Frith MP attended the day of action with the officers.

HACKNEY SUPPORT FUND

The Licensing Service had been advised by TfGM and the Growth Company that 100% of eligible vehicle proprietors of non-compliant Hackney Carriages have submitted applications to receive the Hackney Support Fund to enable them to upgrade to a compliant vehicle. This equated to 24 vehicle proprietors.

PROPOSED PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE SUPPORT FUND

A press release has been issued by Transport for Greater Manchester Greater Manchester in relation to steps for supporting taxi drivers with a new £4.45m vehicle fund. Greater Manchester was proposing a new Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Support Fund to help locally licensed private hire drivers upgrade to cleaner, lower?emission vehicles.

Under the scheme, eligible drivers would be able to access either a £5,000 interest?free loan or a £1,000 non?repayable grant to support the transition to compliant vehicles, complementing the existing £8m fund for hackney cab owners.

The initiative forms part of Greater Manchester’s investment?led approach to improving air quality and follows extensive engagement with the taxi trade, where drivers highlighted the need for additional financial support. If approved, the fund was expected to open for applications later this year

A Member questioned when the vehicle funding would be available and it was reported that this information was not yet in the public domain.

At the request of the Chair, the Licensing Unit Manager provided an overview of the enhanced DBS checks.

Delegated decision:

It was agreed that the report be noted.