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.

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 Sub-Committee Members and Officers. The Apprentice Solicitor set out the procedure for the hearing advising of the Council’s policy and the requirement under Section 41 (1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

The Licensing Officer presented the report for an application to grant a new licence in relation to a Private Hire Mercedes E250 which was over four years old. The vehicle was first registered on 19^th October 2021. The Applicant submitted a current MOT dated 17^th December 2025 with a mileage of 34,427 miles. An independent mechanical inspection report dated 16^th December 2025 was also submitted, along with photographs of the vehicle.

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

·         the vehicle was electric and energy efficient;

·         it was purchased from a dealership;

·         he had not had any issues, and he looked after the vehicle; and

·         it failed its MOT due to the tyre needing to be changed.

In response to questions from Members and the Apprentice Solicitor, the Applicant made the following comments:

·         the vehicle was purchased in 2024;

·         he would monitor the tyres, the lights, and the cleanliness to ensure high standards were met;

·         he checked the tyres weekly and would check straight away following a long drive;

·         he had previously owned a diesel vehicle but thought it a good move to change to an electric car;

·         he would have the vehicle serviced every 15,000 to 20,000 miles or every 6 months depending on what came first;

·         the next service was due in May;

·         evidence had been provided to show the tyre replacement following the MOT failure; and

·         he always looked after his cars.

In summing up, the Applicant thanked the Members for their time and advised he would look at the trim of the car, which had been highlighted during the vehicle inspection.

RESOLVED that the application be approved.

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

The Chair introduced the Licensing Sub-Committee Members and Officers. The Apprentice Solicitor set out the legislation and procedure for the hearing and the Applicant confirmed that the procedure was understood.

The Licensing Officer presented the report which advised the Applicant was seeking the approval of the Licensing Sub-Committee for roving street trading consent applicable to a roving coffee van. The Applicant had applied for a 12-month licence to trade Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 16:00, with attendance at private events on weekends.

The Applicant had submitted photographs of their van, a mobile catering vehicle/trailer safety record, and an up-to-date MOT certificate, which were included in the report papers.

The Applicant spoke in support of his application, making the following points:

·         he had visited businesses around Marsh Barton and the City Centre;

·         his stops would be structured and times, and they had been booked with the businesses;

·         the van would have snacks onboard, but he would mostly be selling coffee; and

·         this was a new venture for him, he had previously been a private hire driver for 20 years.

In response to questions from Members, the Apprentice Solicitor, and the Licensing Officer, the Applicant made the following comments:

·         he would have both recycling and general waste bins available, but it was expected that the customers would take their coffee cups and sandwich wrappers with them;

·         he had already put out advertising for private events, but was unsure what would come up;

·         the route had been out together with support from the head office team, and a lot of research had been done;

·         there was a chime on the van, but it would not always be used as some businesses found it disruptive;

·         he had a business waste licence through the Environment Agency;

·         the MOT had been carried out in Coalville as that was where the head office was;

·         the produce came from wholesalers, but he wanted to use more locally supplied food in the future;

·         an expansion on the food offered would depend on the market;

·         he was still waiting for an inspection of the van; and

·         he was aware that there were prohibited streets in central Exeter and had a printed list.

RESOLVED that the application be approved, subject to conditions set out in section 15 of Exeter City Council’s Street Trading Policy 2024.

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

The Chair introduced the Licensing Sub-Committee Members and Officers. The Licenced Driver had been referred to the Licensing Sub-Committee to determine if he was a fit and proper person to hold a taxi driver’s license.

The Apprentice Solicitor set out the procedure for the hearing and the provisions of Section 61 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1972.

The Apprentice Solicitor stated that the evidential burden was not on the Licensed Driver to prove on the balance of probabilities that he was a fit and proper person to hold a taxi drivers’ license but for the Licensing Sub-Committee to be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the Licensed Driver was no longer a fit and proper person.

The Licensing Officer presented their report to the Sub-Committee.

The Licensed Driver spoke in support of their application and answered questions from Members and the Apprentice Solicitor.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Sub-Committee was satisfied that the Licensed Driver was a fit and proper person to hold a taxi driver’s license.