Agenda and draft minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 8 July 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2024 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman explained that that the information about keeping animals for exhibition had been sent to Councillor David Marsh and that there were 5 holders of this type of licence.

Current Licenses for this activity:

1.    Bucklebury Farm Park

2.    Farms2 Ewe Mobile Farm

3.    Little Hooves

4.    Ray Prior Falconry

5.    Zoolab Berkshire

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Justin Pemberton declared an interest in all Agenda Items and reported that as he was the portfolio member for Public Safety and Community Engagement, as his interest was a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other registrable interest, he would stay for the discussion, but would not vote on the matters.

Councillor Stephanie Steevenson declared an interest in all Agenda Items, but reported that, as she was a signatory for a small lottery registered with West Berkshire Council. her interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, she determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Purpose: To consider the responses received during the eight-week consultation period on the revised draft Statement and make a recommendation to Council that it adopts the amended Statement of Licensing Policy Principles (hereafter referred to as The Statement) under the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) as set out in Appendix A.

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 4) concerning the Adoption of the Revised Statement of Licensing Policy Principles Under S.349 Of the Gambling Act 2005. Ms Moira Fraser introduced the report.

Councillor Paul Dick was happy to see the consultation had provided more responses than the previous year.

Councillor Billy Drummond asked about the Thames Valley Police response to the consultation and Ms Fraser explained that they were supportive.

Councillor Dick proposed the recommendations laid out within the report and this was seconded by Councillor Billy Drummond.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee

(a) Be informed about the outcome of the consultation.

(b) Did not consider that any further amendments needed to be made to the draft arising from the consultation.

(c) Recommended to Full Council that the Statement be adopted, subject to any amendments agreed at that meeting.

Purpose: To inform the Licensing Committee about the Public Protection Partnership’s Fees and Charges which were proposed by the Joint Public Protection Committee at its meeting on the 11 October 2024. Each partner Council is required to review the fees and charges on an annual basis. Appendix A details the fees and charges for 2025/26 proposed for the Public Protection Service. 

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 5) concerning the Licensing Fees and Charges 2025/26. Ms Moira Fraser introduced the report.

Councillor Dick believed that the use of one local newspaper for the publication of the public notice was enough and Councillor Clive Taylor concurred.

Councillor Steevenson queried how the consultation would be advertised and implemented. Ms Fraser explained that the consultation would be placed on the West Berkshire Council Portal and was advertised on the Public Protection Partnership website.

Councillor David Marsh asked how many taxis had taken up the Electric Vehicle (EV) Scheme.  It was noted that six fully electric and 38 hybrid vehicles had taken up the scheme.

Councillor Dick proposed the recommendations laid out within the report and this was seconded by Councillor Billy Drummond.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee

2.1 Be informed about the 2025/26 fees and charges detailed in Appendix A

2.2 Agreed that the fees for Private Hire Operators and Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle licence fees be subjected to the statutory consultation period and process as described in paragraph 4.11

The Committee noted the Forward Plan. It was reported that the Film Classification Policy would be coming to the January meeting instead of the Street Trading Policy.