Agenda item

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 the report stating that the vehicle was a silver Renault Scenic, NJ09 KDK, capable of carrying up to six passengers. It had been registered on 2 March 2009, making the vehicle over 9 years old. Copies of the V5 Registration document, insurance document and MOT certificate dated 30 January 2019 had been supplied to the Licensing Authority.

The Principal Licensing Officer commented that vehicles presented for renewal between the ages of 9 and 10 years old would be referred to the licensing sub- Committee for determination. The Council’s Practices and Procedures for the control of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles, Drivers and Operators and the Code of Conduct for Licensed Drivers (‘Taxi Policy’) stated that vehicles presented for renewal that were more than 10 years old, should not be granted, but the applicant would be given the right to apply for the application to be considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee if the applicant felt their circumstances justified a deviation from the existing Taxi Policy.

The Principal Licensing Officer clarified that an independent vehicle inspection report had not been requested or provided. If the Committee were mindful to approve the renewal of the Licence, it could be subject to receipt of the inspection report by the licensing authority. The alternative option would be to adjourn the meeting until the report was received. The Solicitor confirmed that the document would need to be seen by the Licensing Sub Committee or delegated to the Licensing Authority to inspect.

The driver was in attendance and spoke in support of the application. He explained that vehicle was in good condition and capable of functioning as a taxi for another year.  The vehicle mileage was 18,000 miles in the last 12 months, however the vehicle was likely to be retired after the following year. He explained the journeys made were either long distance journeys to Heathrow, Gatwick and Bristol Airports or journeys within the local area. He confirmed that there was a dry powder fire extinguisher and first kit located in the vehicle for safety purposes.

The driver commented on the MOT advisory, which he considered to be an observation, however as he was not satisfied with the wording used, he would address the required work.

The Chair noted the driver’s comments regarding the criteria for determining the renewal of vehicles, should be based on the vehicles mileage, rather than just its age.

RESOLVED The Licensing Sub-Committee was mindful that the vehicle would be 10 years old on 2^nd March 2019 therefore  the application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle licence was approved for a period of three months, subject to the following being carried out to the satisfaction of the Principal Licensing Officer; 

The Applicant providing the Licensing Authority with:

1.    A comprehensive report into the mechanical fitness of the vehicle.

2.    Evidence that any faults identified by the report in point 1 above have been remedied. 

3.    Evidence that the advisories on the MOT Certificate have been addressed.