To receive apologies for absence (to include reasons, where appropriate) from

Members/Officers.

Apologies for absence were received from the following members:

Councillor GW Davies

Councillor C J James

Councillor P N John

To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008.

None

To receive for approval the public minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee of 10 July, 28 July and 27 August 2015 and the Licensing Sub-Committee of 18 August 2015. 

The minutes of the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee of 10 July, 28 July and 27 August 2015 and the Licensing Sub-Committee of 18 August 2015 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meetings.

The Licensing and Registration Officer submitted a report regarding an application by Forge Travel Limited to licence a Mercedes Benz Vito vehicle registration number KX14 MLY as a private hire vehicle to seat 8 persons.

The vehicle was pre-owned and was first registered with the DVLA on 1 May 2014.  There was no service history as the vehicle had not reached sufficient mileage to require a service or MOT.  The mileage was confirmed as 25,937.

The applicant informed the Sub-Committee that he intended to use the vehicle to add to his fleet for school contract work. He added that there was currently a long waiting list for new vehicles of this type. 

The Licensing and Registration Officer informed the Sub- Committee that the application fell outside the Policy guidelines for the first licensing of vehicles and which would normally be refused; however, a relaxation of the Policy may be considered in exceptional circumstances. 

The Sub-Committee retired to consider the application further and on their return it was:

RESOLVED:              That the Sub-Committee considered the application to licence vehicle registration number KX14 MLY as a Private Hire vehicle to seat 8 persons. 

Given there had been 14 days since the first registration of the vehicle it fell outside of para 2.1 of the Private Hire Vehicle Policy.  Para 2.2.5 allows a relaxation of this policy in certain circumstances namely:        

·         Exceptional interior and exterior appearance

·         Exceptional Safety standards

In considering whether there were exceptional circumstances in this case the Sub-Committee noted the age and condition of the vehicle, including the exceptional standards of safety, quality and comfort, therefore the Sub-Committee granted the application.  

The Licensing and Registration Officer submitted a report regarding an application by Forge Travel Limited to licence a Mercedes Benz Vito vehicle registration number KX14 MMF as a private hire vehicle to seat 8 persons.

The vehicle is pre-owned and was first registered with the DVLA on 1 May 2014.  There was no service history as the vehicle had not reached sufficient mileage to require a service or MOT.  The mileage was confirmed as 24,797

The applicant informed the Sub-Committee that he intended to use the vehicle for to add to his fleet for schools contract work. He added that there was currently a long waiting list for new vehicles of this type. 

The Sub-Committee were concerned that one of the back doors on the vehicle appeared to be sticking.  The applicant confirmed that this in fact was a safety feature to stop the door sliding if it was parked on a hill.  If the door was opened from the inside, it would open with ease and would not cause any health and safety issues.

The Licensing and Registration Officer informed the Sub- Committee that the application fell outside the Policy guidelines for the first licensing of vehicles and which would normally be refused; however, a relaxation of the Policy may be considered in exceptional circumstances. 

The Sub-Committee retired to consider the application further and on their return it was:

RESOLVED:              That the Sub-Committee considered the application to licence vehicle registration number KX14 MMF as a Private Hire vehicle to seat 8 persons. 

Given there had been 14 days since the first registration of the vehicle it fell outside of para 2.1 of the Private Hire Vehicle Policy.  Para 2.2.5 allows a relaxation of this policy in certain circumstances namely:        

·         Exceptional interior and exterior appearance

·         Exceptional Safety standards

In considering whether there were exceptional circumstances in this case the Sub-Committee noted the age and condition of the vehicle, including the exceptional standards of safety, quality and comfort, therefore the Sub-Committee granted the application.  

To consider any other item(s) of business in respect of which notice has been given in accordance with Rule 4 of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

None

The minutes and reports relating to the following items are not for publication as they

contain exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 and/or Paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation)(Wales) Order 2007.

If following the application of the public interest test the Committee resolves pursuant to the Act to consider these items in private, the public will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration.

RESOLVED:               That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as they contain exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 and Paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Following the application of the public interest test it was resolved that pursuant to the Act referred to above to consider the following items in private, with the public excluded from the meeting, as it was considered that in all the circumstances relating to the items, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information, because the information would be prejudicial to the applicants.

                        Minute No.                  Summary of Item

                        44                                Approval of exempt minutes

                        45                                Application for Grant of New Licence

                        46                                Application for Grant of New Licence

To receive for approval the exempt minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee of 18 August 2015.