Agenda item - Licence Fees 2014/15

Report of the Head of Regulatory Services (copy attached)

22.1         The Committee considered a report of the Head of Planning and Pubic Protection, which set out the proposed licence fees and charges for 2014/15 relating to street trading, sex establishments, sex entertainment Licences, gambling premises, taxi licensing and other licensing functions. The report was presented by Mr T Nicholls.

22.2         Councillor Lepper referred to Appendix 4 and noted the middle column was headed 2013/14 and asked if that was correct. Mr Nicholls confirmed that was a typing error and it should read 2014/15.

22.3         Councillor Kennedy asked why some charges were coming down. Mr Nicholls said the authority was complying with legislation, and they could only charge a fee to cover their costs.

22.4         Councillor Simson asked if establishments could be looked at individually. Mr Nicholls said it was possible and the authority had considered that, but had taken the decision not to.

22.5         RESOLVED:

That the committee approved the following variation to licence fees:

· Hackney carriage driver fee +10%, hackney carriage vehicle fee -5%, private hire driver fee +10% and private hire vehicle fee -5%.

· Sex entertainment venues and sex establishments are decreased by -7.5%.

· Street trading fees - decreased by -5%.

· All Gambling Act 2005 fees: increased by 10% applied annually in 2014/15 and 2015/16 to remove the shortfall (except where already set at the maximum e.g. Adult Gaming Centres/Family Entertainment Centres).