To receive apologies for absence from Members.  

None

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.

Councillor C J James declared a prejudicial interest and withdrew from the meeting for item 9 as the applicant was known to him.

To receive for approval the public Minutes of a meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee dated 8 December 2015

RESOLVED:            That the minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 8 December 2015 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting

The Team Manager Licensing submitted a report regarding an application made by Mr Richard Singleton to licence a Mercedes Viano MPV vehicle registration CF65 CFV as a private hire vehicle to seat 6 persons.  The vehicle was pre owned and was first registered at the DVLA on 1 September 2015 and Mr Singleton acquired the vehicle on 2 December 2015. 

The applicant was present in support of the application and the Sub-Committee adjourned the meeting in order to view the vehicle.

The applicant informed the Sub-Committee that in the event of his application being successful he intended to use the vehicle to undertake airport transfers and as private hire bookings. He explained to Members that he bought the ex-demonstration vehicle from Mercedes

The Team Manager Licensing informed the 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 a Mercedes Viano MPV vehicle registration number CF65 CFV as a private hire vehicle to seat 6 persons. 

The Sub Committee noted that the policy stated it should have been licensed within 14 days from first registration and when under 500 miles.  The Sub-Committee noted that the criteria had not been met, however they had considered the condition under para 2.2.5 when the policy could be relaxed and felt these were applicable in this case.  In particular, they noted the exceptional quality and condition of the vehicle and the exceptional safety standards, therefore the Sub-Committee were happy to grant 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 Paragraphs 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.

To receive for approval the Exempt Minutes of a meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee dated 8 December 2015