New Forest Borough Council
Councillors:
48
Wards:
27
Committees:
15
Meetings (2026):
54
Meetings (2025):
80
Meeting
General Purposes and Licensing Committee - New Forest
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Friday, 5th September 2025
10:00 AM
Friday, 5th September 2025
10:00 AM
End:
Friday, 5th September 2025
2:00 PM
Friday, 5th September 2025
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
05 Sep 2025
05 Sep 2025
Location:
Council Chamber - Appletree Court, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7PA
Council Chamber - Appletree Court, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst, SO43 7PA
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Vice-Chairman of the Council
Officer
Christa Ferguson
In attendance
Officer
Democratic Services Officer
Andy Rogers
In attendance
Officer
Peter Donelan
In attendance
Officer
Chief Operations Officer and Deputy Chief Executive
Richard Knott
In attendance
Officer
Service Manager - Environment and Regulation
Joanne McClay
In attendance
Agenda
0
Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllrs Steve Clarke, Jack Davies and David Harrison.
Minutes
1
Minutes
To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 10 January 2025 and 12 May 2025 as a correct record.
Minutes
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2025 and 12 May 2025 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2025 and 12 May 2025 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
2
Declarations Of Interest
To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item. The nature of the interest must also be specified.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.
Minutes
No Declarations of Interest were made by any Members in connection with any Agenda Item.
3
Public Participation
To receive any public participation in accordance with the Council’s public participation scheme.
Minutes
There was no public participation.
4
Amendment to the taxi licensing policy based on the Institute of Licensing suitability guidance
To consider proposed amendments to the taxi licensing policy based on the Institute of Licensing Suitability Guidance.
Attachments:
- Document Taxi Licensing Policy Appendix B amendments 28 Aug 2025
- Document Appendix 1 28 Aug 2025
- Document Appendix 2 28 Aug 2025
Minutes
The Committee reviewed proposed amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy following the publication of revised Institute of Licensing’s Suitability Guidance, together with related consultation arrangements on the proposed amendments.
It was explained that the Convictions Policy in Appendix B of the Taxi Licensing Policy was based on the Institute of Licensing’s Suitability Guidance. This had recently been updated and amendments were proposed to Appendix B of the Taxi Licensing Policy to reflect the updates.
The updates, marked in red in the report in Appendix 2, were intended to clarify the Policy, make it more robust in safeguarding the public, and achieve consistency across authorities. All local authorities based their convictions guidance on both statutory guidance and the Institute’s guidance.
A one-month consultation process would take place with key stakeholders regarding the proposed amendments. Any relevant responses received would be reviewed and presented to Members at a future Committee meeting, following the end of the consultation period, to agree any changes based on responses received. The updated policy would then be presented to Full Council for Members to agree adoption of the amended Appendix B.
A Member requested clarification concerning Section 5.10 of the covering report (also Page 61 in Appendix 2), regarding Offences Involving Discrimination, compliance with the Equalities Act 2010 and provision of mobility assistance. It was explained that this had been amended to ensure that drivers could not refuse to carry assistance dogs or provide mobility assistance without good reason or exemptions in place. It was suggested that the words ‘reasonable accommodation’ be included in this point, to acknowledge that this was not always possible in absolutely every case, due to the type of vehicle which may be being used. Officers explained that any reports on this would be judged on its own merits and dealt with accordingly. Officers would take this point on board when reviewing the document in the light of consultation responses.
A member also queried whether the Policy included a section on protection of children / passengers from radicalisation, which related to published safeguarding guidance in 2025. Officers advised that this was covered in the Code of Conduct at Appendix E of the current Policy [confirmed shortly after the meeting].
RESOLVED:
That subject to taking on board the comments made above, the proposed amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy (Appendix B) be agreed for the purposes of public consultation, and that the related public consultation arrangements be agreed, with a further report on any responses, coming back to the Committee.
It was explained that the Convictions Policy in Appendix B of the Taxi Licensing Policy was based on the Institute of Licensing’s Suitability Guidance. This had recently been updated and amendments were proposed to Appendix B of the Taxi Licensing Policy to reflect the updates.
The updates, marked in red in the report in Appendix 2, were intended to clarify the Policy, make it more robust in safeguarding the public, and achieve consistency across authorities. All local authorities based their convictions guidance on both statutory guidance and the Institute’s guidance.
A one-month consultation process would take place with key stakeholders regarding the proposed amendments. Any relevant responses received would be reviewed and presented to Members at a future Committee meeting, following the end of the consultation period, to agree any changes based on responses received. The updated policy would then be presented to Full Council for Members to agree adoption of the amended Appendix B.
A Member requested clarification concerning Section 5.10 of the covering report (also Page 61 in Appendix 2), regarding Offences Involving Discrimination, compliance with the Equalities Act 2010 and provision of mobility assistance. It was explained that this had been amended to ensure that drivers could not refuse to carry assistance dogs or provide mobility assistance without good reason or exemptions in place. It was suggested that the words ‘reasonable accommodation’ be included in this point, to acknowledge that this was not always possible in absolutely every case, due to the type of vehicle which may be being used. Officers explained that any reports on this would be judged on its own merits and dealt with accordingly. Officers would take this point on board when reviewing the document in the light of consultation responses.
A member also queried whether the Policy included a section on protection of children / passengers from radicalisation, which related to published safeguarding guidance in 2025. Officers advised that this was covered in the Code of Conduct at Appendix E of the current Policy [confirmed shortly after the meeting].
RESOLVED:
That subject to taking on board the comments made above, the proposed amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy (Appendix B) be agreed for the purposes of public consultation, and that the related public consultation arrangements be agreed, with a further report on any responses, coming back to the Committee.
5
Licensing authority performance report
To receive the Licensing Authority performance report, which sets out the work of the Licensing Authority over the past 12 months together with the workplan for 2025-26.
Attachments:
- Document Licensing Performance Report GP&L 28 Aug 2025
- Document Appendix 1 - Licensing Service Plan 2025-26 28 Aug 2025
Minutes
The Committee received a report highlighting the work of the Licensing Authority over the past 12 months, together with the workplan for 2025-26.
Over the financial year, the taxi policy had been implemented, and a large number of licences issued for drivers, operators, and vehicles. Details of driver knowledge tests and work undertaken at the new Hardley depot for vehicles assessments was also given, in addition to testing at the Lymington depot.
Together with an overview of licences issued, there was a summary of licence refusals and revocations and a related taxi driver appeal hearing.
The Service had also advised on setting its fees and charges. It had also dealt with licensing sub-committee hearings under the Licensing Act 2003 and related mediation.
The Service also dealt with numerous other licences including gambling, pleasure boats, road closures, charity collections and scrap metal dealers.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
Over the financial year, the taxi policy had been implemented, and a large number of licences issued for drivers, operators, and vehicles. Details of driver knowledge tests and work undertaken at the new Hardley depot for vehicles assessments was also given, in addition to testing at the Lymington depot.
Together with an overview of licences issued, there was a summary of licence refusals and revocations and a related taxi driver appeal hearing.
The Service had also advised on setting its fees and charges. It had also dealt with licensing sub-committee hearings under the Licensing Act 2003 and related mediation.
The Service also dealt with numerous other licences including gambling, pleasure boats, road closures, charity collections and scrap metal dealers.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
6
Dates of Future Meetings
To agree the following dates for meetings in 2026/27 (all Fridays at 10.00am).
2026
2027
19 June
4 September
27 November
15 January
12 March
2026
2027
19 June
4 September
27 November
15 January
12 March
Minutes
RESOLVED:
That the following dates be agreed for Committee meetings in 2026/27 (all Fridays at 10.00am).
2026
19 June
4 September
27 November
2027
15 January
12 March
That the following dates be agreed for Committee meetings in 2026/27 (all Fridays at 10.00am).
2026
19 June
4 September
27 November
2027
15 January
12 March
7
Any Other Items Which the Chairman Decides Are Urgent
Previous Meetings
Future Meetings
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