Agenda and draft minutes

Members and officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to

any business on the agenda. Declarations should also be made at any stage such

an interest becomes apparent during the meeting.

If in doubt contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no substitute members.

So as to provide the best opportunity for the Committee to provide the public with the fullest answer, questions from the public should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 5 February 2025.

Where relevant notice of a question has not been given, the person presiding may either choose to give a response at the meeting or respond by undertaking to provide a written response within three working days.

Questions should be submitted to Democratic Services - democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

(Note: Public Question Time will last for a maximum of 30 minutes)

There was one public question submitted.

Question from Richard Carrington

Hi, I was wondering  as part of the fare increase, would the committee consider making card readers and card payments, compulsory in all taxis as some taxi drivers do not have them and are strictly cash only, it is illegal for a taxi driver to refuse a fair and a cash only taxi driver does this on a regular bases, when someone who wants to use the service are refused, this then discriminates against the public, who only use phones or cards only as payment, especially the disable or elderly who do not feel safe carrying cash these days but are denied the public service, by cash only drivers, persons who are happy to pay by card for safety reasons, are left in the cold or rain wondering how they will get home as there are not always card payment taxis available that do take card payments, cash only taxi drivers are discriminating against the public who want to pay by card, it causes the elderly and the vulnerable, undue stress, especially the elderly that are less likely to carry cash these days, who are then left wondering in the cold or rain how they will get home especially at night when the bus service stops or is not running, please could the committee consider making this as part of the licensing condition, after all it is a public service that is being offered and should cater for all the public’s needs.

Response

The committee hearing is to review the Hackney Carriage Fare table, card payments can be an item to review at the next handbook review 2025- 2026,  if you witness any refusal to carry then provide details of licensee's refusing to carry.

You can report it here https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/licensing-and-permits/taxis/regulation-licensing-handbooks-legislation-enforcement-complaints/

Mr Carrington asked a supplementary question regarding whether the committee could undertake to reinstate security staff on the taxi ranks.

The Officer committed to supply Mr Carrington with a written response within 3 working days.

Pre-submitted Members questions are pursuant to rule 12 of the Council & Committee Procedure Rules.

Questions should be submitted by midday on Wednesday 5 February 2025 to  Democratic Services, democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

(Note: Member Question Time will operate for a maximum of 30 minutes.)

There were no Members questions submitted.

To approve the minutes of the Licensing Committee meeting held on 21 January 2025 and the Sub Committees meetings held on 20 January 2025 which have been emailed to Members.

Resolved: that the minutes of the Licensing and Control Sub Committee meeting held on the 20 January and the Licensing and Control Committee on 21 January be approved as the correct records

To consider any items the Chairman of the meeting considers to be urgent

There were no items raised under urgent provisions.

To consider a report by the Director for Sustainability & Resources, attached as item 6.

The Officer presented the report and clarified details of some of the tariffs for the committee. The Officer also drew the committee’s attention to an error within the report which stated the current tariff was £3.00. This should have read £3.50.

The Members considered the report before them and a proposal was put forward to accept the Officers recommendations. This was seconded and voted in favour of unanimously.

Resolved: The committee agreed to  approve and implement the change to the Hackney Carriage Tariff. They also agreed to instruct the Public Health & Regulation Manager, in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing & Control Committee, to consider any relevant representations that may be received following the statutory consultation.