The Chairman will advise the meeting of the evacuation procedures to follow in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important for visitors and members of the public who will be unfamiliar with the building and procedures.

The Chairman will inform the meeting whether there is a planned evacuation drill due to take place, what the alarm sounds like (i.e. ringing bells), where the closest emergency exit route is, and where the second closest emergency exit route is, in the event that the closest exit or route is blocked.

The Chairman will inform the meeting that:

(a) in the event of the alarm sounding, everybody must leave the building via the nearest safe available exit and gather at the Assembly points at the far side of the Car Park. Nobody must leave the assembly point until everybody can be accounted for and nobody must return to the building until the Chairman has informed them that it is safe to do so; and

(b) the lifts must not be used in the event of an evacuation.

Any officers present at the meeting will aid with the evacuation.

It is important that the Chairman is informed of any person attending who is disabled or unable to use the stairs, so that suitable arrangements may be made in the event of an emergency.

The Chairman ensured that those present were aware of the evacuation procedure.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 October 2016 (Minute Nos. 965 – 969) as a correct record, and to accept the Minutes of the following Licensing Sub-Committees:

10.30am 30 September 2016 (Minute Nos. 905 – 911)

2.30pm 30 September 2016 (Minute Nos. 912 – 918)

2.30pm 31 October 2016 (Minute Nos. 974 – 978)

3.30pm 31 October 2016 (Minute Nos. 979 – 983)

2pm 20 April 2017 (Minute Nos. 1295 – 1299)

9.30am 24 July 2017 (Minute Nos. 118 – 122)

11am 24 July 2017 (Minute Nos. 123 – 127)

2pm 24 July 2017 2pm (Minute Nos. 128 – 133)

3.30pm 24 July 2017 (Minute Nos. 134 – 139)

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 October 2016 (Minutes Nos. 965 – 969) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Licensing Sub-Committee meetings held on 30 September 2016 (Minute Nos. 905 – 911 and 912 – 918), 31 October 2016 (Minute Nos. 974 – 978 and 979 – 983), 20 April 2017 (Minutes Nos. 1296 – 1299)  and 24 July 2017 (Minute Nos. 118 – 122, 123 – 127, 128 – 133 and 134 - 139) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for  themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the room while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

The Council operates a scheme of public speaking at meetings of the General Licensing Committee.  Requests to speak at the meeting must be registered with Democratic Services by 4.30pm on Friday 8 September 2017 and must be related to an item on the agenda.  Each speaker has a maximum of three minutes to speak.

The Chairman advised that no requests to register to speak had been received.

To consider the revised Taxi Fees and Charges.

The Cabinet Member for Safer Families and Communities introduced the report which set out the review of Taxi Fees and Charges and the consultation process undertaken.  He stressed that the charges proposed should reflect the actual costs incurred in providing the service and referred to paragraph 2.8 on page 2 of the report which highlighted the importance of running a professional and thorough service to ensure the safety and integrity of Swale taxis.

The Resilience and Licensing Manager added that some modifications had been made to the original proposals as a result of the consultation undertaken.

In response to a question from a Member, the Resilience and Licensing Manager advised that Swale Borough Council had the 78^th highest fees and charges for taxi fees tariff out of 300Councils nationally.

The Chairman reminded Members that the fees set were the maximum amount that could be charged.

The proposals were put to the vote and agreed.

Resolved:

(1) That the modified proposed fees and charges detailed in the report in paragraph 3 and Appendix II, be agreed with effect from 18 September 2017.

(2) That the proposal to review the taxi fare tariff be agreed.