Agenda item

Public Question Time

Meeting of Full Council, Wednesday, 17th July, 2024 7.30 pm (Item 5.)

To answer public questions under Full Council Procedure Rule 1.1-E. The questions must be on matters which are relevant to the functions of the Council, and should not include statements.

One supplementary question from the questioner will be allowed.

Up to 30 minutes is allocated to Public Question Time.

Minutes:

Questions asked in accordance with Full Council Procedure Rule 1.2-D were as follows:

Question	Response
Nicholas Venes – (United Cars, Gatwick Airport)) Mr Venes initially provided context to his question before stating that Crawley already has stricter standards for licensed vehicles compared to neighbouring Boroughs. Now, in addition to those standards, when a licensed vehicle passes a Hackney MOT but receives an “advisory”, that advisory needs to be rectified immediately. Why is this? Supplementary Question: It is not fair to have a standard above those set in the policy (i.e. requiring that an advisory is rectified immediately). Would you agree?	Councillor Jones (Leader of the Council) in the absence of the Chair of the Licensing Committee Your question relates to specific cases, and therefore it is not appropriate for me to discuss them in a public meeting as they relate to individual circumstances. I agree that Crawley has high standards, this is something Crawley is proud of as it ensures a well-regulated trade in the Borough which is in everyone’s best interest. It is the Council’s job to regulate the trade. The points system was brought in to be open and transparent in explaining/quantifying the reason for any points incurred. Officers implement the policies adopted by the Council and so any decisions they make will be based on those policies. If there are concerns regarding those policies, we are prepared to consider those points. Therefore, a meeting can be arranged with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, the Cabinet Member and officers to discuss the issues you have raised. This is a specific point on an individual case which I am not aware of and I do not therefore feel comfortable commenting on that case. I am prepared to refer this to the appropriate people so this can be discussed offline but, unfortunately, I cannot provide you with a satisfactory response tonight.
Richard Symonds – (Ifield) Will this Council declare an Ecological Emergency in Ifield Brook Meadows - West of Ifield - just as Bristol Council declared an Ecological Emergency in Brislington Meadows four years ago?	Councillor Nawaz (Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development) Ifield Brook Meadows is currently undergoing a biodiversity assessment which is due to be completed in the Autumn. The results will determine whether there are additional ways to both enhance biodiversity and further protect the site. The Council’s Local Plan designates Ifield Brook Meadows as a local green space, local wildlife site, and Crawley Local Plan policies therefore already offer significant protection to the site against development should any future planning application be submitted within the boundary.
Mohammed Azzaoui - (Kilnwood Vale) I am one of the representatives from United Cars at Gatwick Airport. Since we have started a rally to try to get Uber opposed, the Council’s Licensing Department have undertaken three checks of drivers at United Cars. Why are these checks being undertaken now, following the start of this rally, when we haven’t received any checks for a number of years prior? Supplementary Question: Since we started the rally, I am unaware of Crawley’s Licensing Department approaching any driver in Crawley other than those at Gatwick. We would be happy to have a conversation outside this meeting to discuss this issue and receive clarification on the matter?	Councillor Jones (Leader of the Council) in the absence of the Chair of the Licensing Committee There will sometimes be checks on all areas of the trade and I am almost certain that those checks were not related to the rally. Councillor Sivarajah (Mayor) That has been noted thank you.
Ashley Speirs - (Langley Green) A letter from Licensing was sent to Gatwick with regards to Uber. Has there been any response to that letter? Supplementary Comment: I hope that the investigation is swift and thorough as, when winter approaches, the trade will suffer massively.	Councillor Jones (Leader of the Council) in the absence of the Chair of the Licensing Committee I believe this is referring to the correspondence which the Licensing Committee agreed to send to the various organisations and Government. It would have been wrong to send that letter before the Council had all the information available. The investigation into the issues raised, relating to the private hire operations at Gatwick Airport, has only recently been completed. As a consequence of the investigation, the Council has come to a view and officers are working with the Legal Advisor to consider the Council’s options. It will not be possible to comment on the options until that legal advice is received, but I can assure you, that this is not standing still, appropriate action will be taken, and the relevant organisations and Government agencies will be written to and notified of the updated position.

Question

Response

Nicholas Venes – (United Cars, Gatwick Airport))

Mr Venes initially provided context to his question before stating that Crawley already has stricter standards for licensed vehicles compared to neighbouring Boroughs. Now, in addition to those standards, when a licensed vehicle passes a Hackney MOT but receives an “advisory”, that advisory needs to be rectified immediately. Why is this?

Supplementary Question:

It is not fair to have a standard above those set in the policy (i.e. requiring that an advisory is rectified immediately). Would you agree?

Councillor Jones (Leader of the Council) in the absence of the Chair of the Licensing Committee

Your question relates to specific cases, and therefore it is not appropriate for me to discuss them in a public meeting as they relate to individual circumstances.

I agree that Crawley has high standards, this is something Crawley is proud of as it ensures a well-regulated trade in the Borough which is in everyone’s best interest. It is the Council’s job to regulate the trade. The points system was brought in to be open and transparent in explaining/quantifying the reason for any points incurred. Officers implement the policies adopted by the Council and so any decisions they make will be based on those policies. If there are concerns regarding those policies, we are prepared to consider those points. Therefore, a meeting can be arranged with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, the Cabinet Member and officers to discuss the issues you have raised.

This is a specific point on an individual case which I am not aware of and I do not therefore feel comfortable commenting on that case. I am prepared to refer this to the appropriate people so this can be discussed offline but, unfortunately, I cannot provide you with a satisfactory response tonight.

Richard Symonds – (Ifield)

Will this Council declare an Ecological Emergency in Ifield Brook Meadows - West of Ifield - just as Bristol Council declared an Ecological Emergency in Brislington Meadows four years ago?

Councillor Nawaz (Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development)

Ifield Brook Meadows is currently undergoing a biodiversity assessment which is due to be completed in the Autumn. The results will determine whether there are additional ways to both enhance biodiversity and further protect the site. The Council’s Local Plan designates Ifield Brook Meadows as a local green space, local wildlife site, and Crawley Local Plan policies therefore already offer significant protection to the site against development should any future planning application be submitted within the boundary.

Mohammed Azzaoui - (Kilnwood Vale)

I am one of the representatives from United Cars at Gatwick Airport.

Since we have started a rally to try to get Uber opposed, the Council’s Licensing Department have undertaken three checks of drivers at United Cars. Why are these checks being undertaken now, following the start of this rally, when we haven’t received any checks for a number of years prior?

Supplementary Question:

Since we started the rally, I am unaware of Crawley’s Licensing Department approaching any driver in Crawley other than those at Gatwick. We would be happy to have a conversation outside this meeting to discuss this issue and receive clarification on the matter?

Councillor Jones (Leader of the Council) in the absence of the Chair of the Licensing Committee

There will sometimes be checks on all areas of the trade and I am almost certain that those checks were not related to the rally.

Councillor Sivarajah (Mayor)

That has been noted thank you.

Ashley Speirs - (Langley Green)

A letter from Licensing was sent to Gatwick with regards to Uber. Has there been any response to that letter?

Supplementary Comment:

I hope that the investigation is swift and thorough as, when winter approaches, the trade will suffer massively.

Councillor Jones (Leader of the Council) in the absence of the Chair of the Licensing Committee

I believe this is referring to the correspondence which the Licensing Committee agreed to send to the various organisations and Government. It would have been wrong to send that letter before the Council had all the information available. The investigation into the issues raised, relating to the private hire operations at Gatwick Airport, has only recently been completed. As a consequence of the investigation, the Council has come to a view and officers are working with the Legal Advisor to consider the Council’s options. It will not be possible to comment on the options until that legal advice is received, but I can assure you, that this is not standing still, appropriate action will be taken, and the relevant organisations and Government agencies will be written to and notified of the updated position.