Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (at pages 4 - 47) and the supplementary agenda update (at pages 1 - 10) as jointly-delivered and summarised by the Enviromental Health Team Leader and Licensing Enforcement Officer which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

Scale of Fees and Charges

It was reported the new Scale of Fees and Charges had been brought into line with neighbouring Leicestershire authorities.

The Environmental Health Team Leader stated that the Operator’s Licence Competency Test was now £40 (and not £36 as stated on the Scale of Fees and Charges as at section 2.1, vi). She stated that if Members’ were in agreement with the changes, they would then be published on our website.

Councillor Mrs H E Loydall stated that she appreciated the time and work taken in updating the Scale.

Food Hygiene Inspections

Councillor Mrs H E Loydall asked if the statistical data for Food Hygiene inspections ratings A-E could be explained in more detail. 

The Environmental Health Team Leader advised that the rating looked at a number of issues (viz. from how the establishment is managed to how they have improved from the previous inspection) and confirmed that E was the highest rating and A was the lowest.  If a business had to be revisited, then that business would be on the Council’s radar to visit more regularly, for example, six monthly instead of yearly.

Councillor J Kaufman enquired as to why a newly opened business had a high rating. 

It was explained that if the business still had the same owners/management, that they would remain with the original rating.

Licensing, Enforcement and Taxi Updates

It was reported that following a complaint regarding taxis operating illegally in the Borough, the Licensing Enforcement Officer attended Manor Road, Oadby on an evening last September (2016) and during that time stopped thirty Leicester City Council licensed taxi vehicles and spoke to the licensed drivers. Where appropriate, she advised them that they were operating illegally as they were out of their jurisdiction and they were given a boundary map.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer had also been speaking with the Head of Security at the University of Leicester to enable him to educate the students as to which taxis they should and should not be using given that the safety of students was paramount.  She had also been in contact with ‘Rock Star Events’ who were the promoters for events held at the O2 Academy, University Road, Leicester.  Most of the events which require taxis were held on Wednesdays and Friday nights, therefore further spot checks would be undertaken during these times during term time.

Councillor Mrs H E Loydall stated that in relation to taxi licensing on Manor Road, all events should be arranging a number of buses to/from planned events.

The Licensing Enforcement Officer confirmed that buses were in operation and ran frequently, but some students decide to take a taxi instead if they were waiting.

The Chair  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7

The Committee gave consideration to the report (at pages 43 - 47) as delivered and summarised by the Interim Community Services Manager which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

Councillor L A Bentley commended the important and efficient work undertaken by the Clean and Green Team.

The Member further requested that the Council make better use of its full prosecutorial powers towards irresponsible dog-owners and flight-tippers and to publicise successful prosecutions using the appropriate communication channels (viz. Letterbox, the Council’s website, social media etc.) to widely-instil a deterrent to others.

The Director of Services informed Members that a letter had been sent to Leicestershire County Council (LCC) outlining the Council’s concerns

Councillor Mrs S Z Haq enquired as to whether the itemised price-tariff for the disposal of non-household items at the Oadby Recycling and Household Waste Site (from April 2016) had increased occurrences of fly-tipping within the Borough.

The Interim Community Services Manager stated that the requested information was not immediately available to draw a conclusion on the matter at the present time. He advised that a record was being kept of fly-tipping occurrences within the Borough and the associated clean-up costs incurred to the Council and that that the situation would continue to be monitored closely and Members informed periodically.

Councillor Mrs L M Broadley welcomed the’ fly-tipping’ and ‘accumulations’ definitions provided at paragraphs 3.7 and 3.8 of the report (at page 45). She further enquired as to whether the definition(s) and enforcement action(s) applied to occurrences to the rear of privately-owned commercial premises (viz. refuse areas).

The Interim Community Services Manager stated that he would seek clarification on the legal position in relation to occurrences on commercial premises.

Councillor Miss A R Bond expressed concern regarding the accumulation of rubbish in the wooded area/copse adjacent to ASDA on Leicester Road, Oadby (A6) and the perceived lack of responsibility taken by the legal proprietor(s). She requested that enquires be made to identify the responsible legal proprietors of the land in question.

The Chair moved the recommendation as set out at paragraph 2 of the report (at page 43).

The Vice-Chair seconded the recommendation.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The contents of the report be noted by Members.