Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors; Helen Staples and David Scoot.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were received

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday 7^th December 2023.

None

(A report by Anna McDowell, Senior Licensing Officer)

The Senior Licensing Officer presented the Committee with the proposed amendments and additions to Boston Borough Councils Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Guidance and Policy ahead of it being released for consultation.

The Council had been operating from and providing applicants with two separate policies, the proposed policy review aimed to combine the policies and add additional information into the document.

The Committee made the following comments;

• The new format was much easier to comprehend than both previous versions of the policy.
• Penalty Points Scheme - Drivers and Owners should be given an initial shorter period for points to become spent under the scheme to allow them to get used to the changes before the commencement of the 36 month endorsement period.
• The penalty point’s scheme would look better if tiered in order of awardable points.
• The penalty points scheme should highlight that all non-compliances with a value of 12 points would be referred to a Sub - Committee as a matter of priority.
• Mention of the Council’s Corporate Enforcement Policy should be added into the Policy to reference how the Licensing Section with handle complaints and enforcement.

It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the Committee approved the proposed amendments and additions to the policy for consultation with the taxi trade, general public and any relevant stakeholders.