Agenda and minutes

Councillor Sheldon was appointed as the Chair for this meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

To consider the report of the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager.

The Chair introduced the Sub-Committee and the Solicitor set out the procedure for the hearing advising of the Council’s policy and the requirements under Section 48(1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Principal Licensing Officer presented an application from Mr IW to grant a Private Hire Vehicle licence in relation to a vehicle which was over 9 years old at the renewal date advising that the matter could not be dealt with under delegated powers. He explained that the vehicle had been licensed as a private hire vehicle since 2011, and the registration date was 4^th July 2008 making the vehicle over 9 years old at the time of renewal. The policy in place for the renewal of private hire vehicles over 10 years stated that they would need to be referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee for determination.

The vehicle’s recorded mileage from the latest MOT on 8^th August 2017, was 281,518 miles, the MOT certificate provided contained advisories, which had been completed. The vehicle was inspected by an independent vehicle inspector on 13^th September 2017 and a Licensing Officer on 8 September 2017, and considered to be in very good condition.

Mr IW was in attendance and spoke in support of the application. He explained that he was aware of the vehicle’s age, but explained it was well maintained and any work needed was completed by his mechanic straight away. The vehicle was serviced every 10,000 miles and any issues were always immediately taken to a garage. He stated that he had been driving for 20 years and he was the sole user of the vehicle. He confirmed that the vehicle was used mainly for small journeys around the city, with rare long distance pickups of no more than a 100 miles away. He intended to replace the vehicle in 2018 once the renewal had expired.

RESOLVED that the application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle licence for a vehicle which was over 9 years old be approved.

To pass the following resolution:

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for item 5 on the grounds that if involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following item on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part I, Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider the report of the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager.

The Chair introduced the Licensing Sub Committee Members and Officers. The Applicant had been referred to the Licensing Sub Committee to determine if he was a fit and proper person to hold a licence to drive a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle.

The Solicitor set out the procedure for the hearing and explained Section 51 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 stating that the Licensing Authority must be satisfied that a driver is a fit and proper person to hold a licence to drive a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle.

The Principal Licensing Officer presented the report and gave evidence in respect of the application, which had been submitted for the grant of a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver’s licence on 17^th August 2017.

The applicant was in attendance and spoke in support of the application.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Sub-committee was satisfied that the Applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a driver’s licence for a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle.