Agenda and minutes

Members are required to declare any personal or prejudicial interests and the nature of that interest, in respect of any matter to be considered at this meeting.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 July 2009.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 2 July 2009 be approved and signed by the Chairman.

Any other items which, pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman decides are urgent.

There were no urgent items of business.

To receive a report on the results of a consultation on gambling principles, and to receive recommendations on a revised Statement of Gambling Principles.

The Chief Officer: Environment and Protection reported on the results of a consultation on gambling principles and made recommendations on a revised Statement of Gambling Principles, which had been circulated with the Agenda papers. He told the Committee that about 300 individuals and organisations had been consulted, but only eight responses had been received. Seven responses had given no comments. The eighth had been from GamCare, and their comments had been noted and taken into account when revising the Statement of Gambling Principles.

The Chairman invited questions, but there was none. The Chairman thanked the Chief Officer and his team for their hard work and moved to the recommendation.

It was unanimously RESOLVED that:

the Committee note the result of the consultation and recommend to the Executive that the Council adopt the revised Statement of Gambling Principles with effect from 30 January 2010.

To consider a report on the Bracknell Forest Taxi Unmet Demand Survey, to receive a presentation from Paul Beecham of Transport Planning International on the report and its conclusions, and to consider the options as presented.

NOTE: Members are asked to submit in writing before the meeting any technical questions they may have arising from the papers in this item.

The Chairman explained to the meeting that the Chief Officer: Environment and Safety would introduce this item, then Paul Beecham from TPi would give a presentation on the survey. After this, Mr John Yexley representing GMB and Bracknell Licensed Taxi Forum would speak. Questions of clarification would be allowed after each speaker.

The Chief Officer introduced the report, which had been circulated. He indicated that this report had been difficult to write as it was a finely balanced matter.  In writing the report, and making the recommendations, he had had regard to Government guidelines and the fact that the result of the survey had been that there appeared to be no unmet hackney carriage demand in Bracknell Forest. The trade position was set out in the papers and drivers had made representations for a limiting policy. Their argument was around protecting the quality of the existing fleet by ensuring that the drivers had a living wage without having to work excessive hours.  They believed it would be in the public interest to restrict trade. The Chief Officer’s recommendation was not to limit the number of hackney carriage licences.

Councillor Virgo asked whether the current economic recession had been taken into consideration, and agreed that any decision must be in the best interest of the public. The Chief Officer confirmed that the recession had been taken into account.

Paul Beecham from Transport Planning (International) Ltd (TPi) gave a presentation about the key areas of the Unmet Demand survey for Bracknell Forest which his consultancy had undertaken for the Council. The report had full details of the survey, and this had been circulated with Agenda papers. He told the meeting that TPi had undertaken over 100 surveys of this kind in recent years, and always took into account Government guidance. The methodology for the study was taken from Government advice, first taking a background review of Bracknell Forest transport and then surveying stakeholders, conducting on-street interviews, and a total of 307 hours observations of taxi ranks in the Borough. Results from these activities had been taken and analysed, and compared with studies which had been conducted elsewhere. In cases where unmet demand was confirmed, a modelling exercise would be undertaken to make recommendations to meet demand, but this was unnecessary in Bracknell Forest’s case.

Mr Beecham highlighted some of the findings of the survey:

• There were three very busy taxi ranks in Bracknell Forest – the train station, the bus station, and the British Legion. Passenger delays at these ranks were insignificant, and cab drivers waiting for fares at ranks was on average about 20 minutes.
• There was one hackney carriage for every 1300 people within Bracknell Forest; the average was one per 1600 people in other boroughs.
• The public attitude to hackney carriages was generally happy, and issues were not raised. Those surveyed were considered a representative sample of the Bracknell Forest population.
• Main deterrent to using taxis was cost, with many preferring to use their own cars or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Thursday 4 February 2010 at 7.30 pm

Thursday 29 April 2010 at 7.30 pm

Thursday 4 February 2010 at 7.30 pm.