Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Pineger.

There were none.

These must be received no later than 12 noon on the fifth working day before the date of the meeting

There were none.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 6^th September 2023 and 7^th March 2024.

Minutes for the full committees were approved.

To approve the meeting(s) of the Licensing Misc Sub Committees held on 4^th October 2023, 8^th November 2023, 6^th December 2023, 18^th December 2023, 17^th January 2024, 7^th February 2024, 3^rd April 2024, 16^th June 2024 and 11^th July 2024.

Alcohol and Gambling held on 11^th October 2023, 18^th October 2023, 20^th February 2024 and 7^th August 2024.

Minutes from all the sub committees were approved.

Taxi Policy Review.

Louis introduced the report as published.

Members made the following comments:

-       There was  a query raised with regard to the consultees that were consulted, as people who need a wheelchair adapted vehicle (WAV) will be very engaged and people who don’t need to use a WAV will be indifferent.  The Member had reservations about the general access with people that are wheelchair bound.  It was confirmed that there had been consultation with the disability forum.

-       The draft states that CCTV is to be encouraged in vehicles, what is the reason for it not being mandatory.  It was explained that this is an ongoing piece of work and that the matter of making CCTV mandatory will be bought to Cabinet and the Licensing Committee next year.

-       There is a mixed fleet in the policy at the moment – saloon vehicles will be phased out eventually, are there plans for the fleet to remain a mixed fleet or will the fleet be fully WAV?  The aim is to have the whole fleet as WAVs by 2030.

-       There was satisfaction with the safeguarding and DPS part of the policy.  It was questioned whether when a drivers DPS is going through and there is an incident would the Council be informed and it was confirmed that the Council would be notified.

The Chair made the point that GLOG (third party checking on behalf of local authorities.) needs to engage re carbon neutral vehicles,  It would be advantageous to align across the County.  It would also be advantageous to find a reasonably price for processing card payments across the County.

There were no further questions or comments.

SEV Policy Review

The Head of Public Protection introduced the report.

The Members made the following points:

-       It is really good that SEV’s are being regulated.  It would be advantageous to talk to organisers re recruitment processes.

-       It would be a good idea to check with the venues that health and safety procedures are being followed.

-       The committee has previously taken evidence from a performer and that has proved helpful.

-       Public Protection do an outstanding job.  It needs to be noted that one of the venues has 14 door staff to assist them during the operation of the SEV which is above and beyond what is required.

-       There was a concern that the populous of Cheltenham does not understand the operation of SEV’s there needs to be more publicity that Cheltenham are doing the right thing.

-       It is welcome that GDAS and GRASAC are being invited to take part in the consultation.

-       The council has to show that they are genuine in their consultation, there was confidence that officers and Members will approach the matter properly.

-       The committee will need a  calm and informed debate using no pejorative language, the sex of the performer nor the sex of the audience should be specified.

-       The Chair offered to write to the Home Secretary with regard to the challenge that we have in Cheltenham.  Previously wrote in 2020 to the previous Home Secretary.

The committee were then asked to volunteer to be on the consultation panel for the policy.  Councillor Wheeler and Councillor Joy volunteered alongside Councillor Willingham and Councillor Boyes.

There were none.

There were none.

Next meeting – 4^th December 2024.

The next Full Committee will be held on the 4^th December 2024.