Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 7 January 2026.

It was moved by Councillor Bull and seconded by Councillor Deffley that the Minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 7 January 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. It was noted that Councillor Smith abstained from the vote.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 7 January 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on Friday 19 December 2025.

It was moved by Councillor Redfern and seconded by Councillor Marlow that the Minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting held on 19 December 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. It was noted that Councillor Deffley abstained from the vote.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 19 December 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting and reminded participants to use their microphones when speaking so that they could be heard, she confirmed that there were no updates for the Committee.

The webcast of the meeting can be viewed here.

To receive any Members’ declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer introduced the report, which provided Members with an overview of key areas of licensing regulation for Quarters 3 and 4 of the 2025/26 financial year, together with an end-of-year summary.

Key highlights included details of service requests received and enforcement work undertaken, particularly in relation to suspension letters and overdue annual licence fees. The Officer also drew attention to compliance activity involving Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers, including the number of licensing record points issued during the reporting period.

Members were informed that, following complaints, further enforcement action was planned in relation to Bishops Stortford Train Station taxi rank. Joint working arrangements with Broxbourne Borough Council’s Enforcement Officer were also noted. Additionally, Members were advised that Vehicle Condition Certificates (VCCs) had been brought back in-house, resulting in improved vehicle standards across the licensed fleet.

The Chair thanked the Licensing Enforcement Officer for the report, and Members echoed their appreciation for its comprehensive content.

Members queried whether information relating to driver misconduct, specifically reports of unacceptable driving and aggression, were shared with the Police. Officers confirmed that, in the case of poor driving, the complainant had reported the matter directly to the Police, while in the case of alleged aggression, the complainant had been advised to do so. Members were also reminded that drivers had 10 working days to appeal any licensing points issued, with appeals considered by the Assistant Director for Community and Business Engagement.

Further clarification was sought on issues at Bishop’s Stortford Train Station and on pavement licences. Officers advised that enforcement activity would be undertaken at the station taxi rank, although challenges relating to traffic and road layout were acknowledged. In relation to pavement licences, Members were informed that premises are required to display a summary of their licence, typically in their window, and that any reported breaches would be investigated with enforcement action taken where necessary.

It was moved by Councillor Townsend and seconded by Councillor Woollcombe that the recommendations, as detailed, be approved. After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.   

RESOLVED – that the report be considered by Members. 

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting, is of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration and is not likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information.

There were no urgent items.

If Part II business is notified and the procedures set out in the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 have been complied with, the Chairman will move: - That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of item XX on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph XX of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

There was no Part II business.