Issue - meetings

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report updating Members on activity in the Licensing Section, including the processing of licences, enforcement activity and the implementation of the Service Plan.

Members were advised that Officers had been noticeably busier in terms of the numbers of applications that had been received.  Officers were processing these applications with the same or reduced resources.

The Interim Licensing Manager stated that, although there had only been 3 Sub-Committee hearings in the first quarter of 2012, Officers had processed significant volumes of paperwork.  Members were advised that 53 licence holders had amassed a total of 122 East Herts Penalty Points, mainly due to missed appointments and a number of minor infractions.

The Committee was advised of case law that had found against a Local Authority in Cardiff whereby Taxi Driver licences had been automatically suspended or revoked following the accumulation of penalty points.  The Interim Licensing Manager advised that East Herts Council was acting lawfully in that any such cases would be brought before a Sub–Committee for a decision as to whether a Taxi Driver was a fit and proper person to hold a licence.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED – that the report be received.