Agenda item

To provide the Committee with an update of the regulatory activity as applicable to the Regulatory Committee undertaken by the Licensing Team during 2024/25.

To provide an overview of delegated policy changes made to update the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2025 during quarter 4 of 2024/25 and most recently in quarter 1 of 2025/26.

The Committee had before it and NOTED a report * from the Team Leader, (Commercial), Public Health of the Regulatory Update Report.

The following was highlighted within the report:

·         There had been a significant decrease in the number of Licensed Hackney Carriage vehicles across the district.  No particular reason had been identified as to why that was the case

·         A total of 27 taxi inspections had taken place between January and March 2025.  This was lower than previous years mainly due to delaying inspections until the revised Taxi Policy had come into effect on 1 January 2025 as well as staffing pressures.

·         There were a total of 48 animal related licences which included cat and dog boarding, day care, dog breeding and hiring out horses.

·         Currently this work was undertaken by an external contractor as a specific qualification was required under the current legislation to carry out those visits.   However 2 members of the Licensing Team were undertaking that qualification.

·         There was a joint Environmental Health and UK Health Security Agency initiative which looked at a type of micro-organism, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, which was a common bacteria found in the environment.  It existed harmlessly on the surface of the skin but once the skin was broken it could cause serious infections of the skin, soft tissue and bloodstreams.    Symptoms included respiratory and urinary infections and was difficult to treat.

·         There had not been any outbreaks in Mid Devon however 19 samples had been taken from 3 different premises.  The organism was found in one of the premises and after following officer advice and guidance on cleaning practices, following resampling, the results had returned satisfactorily.

·         An agency member of staff had joined the Licensing Team this week who was helping with the workload whilst the team considered a new structure to deliver the core functions.

·         There had been a total of 3 Regulatory Sub-Committee Hearings which had taken place in 2024/2025.

·         Training had been provided to license holders specifically looking at Safeguarding and Disability Awareness to comply with the new Taxi Policy requirements with training having to be undertaken every 3 years.  A total of 99 licence holders had attended to date.

·         A minor change had been made to the Taxi Policy under delegated authority from the Head of Housing and Health, as the Policy had limited the ability to license a third row of seats in the back of a vehicle.  As this would have had a significant impact on public transport across the district this had now been changed.

·         A number of vehicles did not meet the exact dimensions that the Policy had specified for the size of the cab. This had been adjusted to remove the defined sizing requirements from the Policy itself and use more of a subjective assessment of space and comfort.  The dimensions would sit outside of the Policy and would be referred to in the event of complaints for concerns about a vehicle.

·         A review of the taxi tariff had been requested.  A piece of work would be initiated to establish if the wider trade wished for a review.

·         A project was planned to take place during 2025/2026 to review the licensing approach to residential caravan sites.  This would be a joint piece of work between Licensing and Environmental Health.

Discussion took place regarding:-

·         Whether the Council had any zoo licences or licences that were exempt.  It was explained that the Council did not have either.

·         The taxi rank in Tiverton being used by members of the public.  It was explained that this was a matter for Devon County Council Highways to resolve.

·         The amount of dog litters to be classed as a dog breeder.  It was explained that detailed guidelines were outlined by the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Note: * Report previously circulated.