Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Snow was appointed as Chair for this meeting.

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests that relate to business on the agenda and which have not already been included in the register of interests, before any discussion takes place on the item. Unless the interest is sensitive, you must also disclose the nature of the interest. In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, you must then leave the room and must not participate in any further discussion of the item.  Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

To consider the report of the Head of Service - Environment and Waste.

The Chair introduced the Sub-Committee and the Legal Advisor set out the procedure for the hearing advising of the Council’s policy and the requirement under Section 47 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Licensing Officer presented the report for the application to renew a licence in relation to a Hackney Carriage Toyota Prius, which was over 10 years old. The vehicle was first registered on 26 September 2024. The Applicant submitted a current MOT dated 08 August 2025 which recorded a mileage of 271,097. CCTV and Meter checks and photographs of the vehicle were also submitted by the Applicant. The vehicle was inspected by a council officer and was found to be in reasonable condition for the age.  The vehicle has been licensed with Exeter City Council since 14 September 2017.

The Applicant spoke in support of the application making the following comments:

• the car was a hybrid and met all the criteria set out by Exeter City Council;
• he kept the vehicle in good reasonable condition; and
• the carbon emissions were less than Exeter City Council guidance.

In response to questions from Members and the Legal Advisor, the Applicant made the following comments:

• as long as the car was safe to use he would carry on using it;
• the car was serviced every ten thousand miles;
• the car was checked every week by him and received an MOT every 6 months;
• he might consider getting another car in a couple of years;
• the engine oil, tires, and lights were checked every week; 
• if he application was approved he would be happy to continue with MOTs every 6 months; and
• he would be happy to share the report from his services.

RESOLVED that the application for the renewal of a licence relating to a Hackney Carriage over 10 years old be approved for 12 months, subject to a condition that the vehicle with have an MOT every six months and evidence from vehicle services been provided to the Council’s Licensing Department.

It is considered unlikely that the Committee would wish to exclude the press and public during consideration of the items on this agenda.  If, however, the Committee were to exclude the press and public, a resolution in the following form should be passed:

“RECOMMENDED that, under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the particular item(s) on the grounds that it (they) involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.”

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 items and 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 items on the grounds that they 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 Head of Service - Environment and Waste.

The Chair introduced the Licensing Sub-Committee Members and Officers.

The driver 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 Legal Advisor set out the procedure for the hearing and the provisions of Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Legal Advisor stated that the evidential burden was on the Applicant to prove on the balance of probabilities he was a fit and proper person to hold a taxi drivers licence. Every case before the Licensing Sub-Committee was heard of its individual merits and its paramount concern was the safety of the travelling public.

The Licensing Officer presented the report and gave evidence in respect of the application.

The Applicant spoke in support of their application and answered questions from Members and the Legal Advisor.

RESOLVED that the application be refused.