In the absence of Councillor Kearn, Members agreed by a unanimous decision to appoint Councillor G Thomas as Chairperson for the meeting.

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

The Team Manager – Licensing presented a report that requested the Sub-Committee to consider an application to grant a licence for a Private Hire Vehicle.

She advised that the application had been made by Martin Carter to licence a Mercedes Vito vehicle registration number EN66 HRK as a private hire vehicle to seat 7 persons. The vehicle was pre-owned and was first registered at the DVLA on 31 December 2016.

The Team Manager – Licensing confirmed that the application fell outside the Private Hire Vehicle Policy approved by the Licensing Committee. The vehicle was not wheelchair accessible, but there were specific policy guidelines in respect of the first licensing of private hire vehicles which fall outside policy guidelines, as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report. No service history in respect of the vehicle had been provided.

Members then proceeded to the basement car park to inspect the vehicle.

Upon the meeting reconvening, the Team Manager – Licensing confirmed that the current mileage of the vehicle was 2,872.

Mr. Carter advised the Sub-Committee that he had arranged an MOT for the vehicle even though he had not been required to do this. He added that the vehicle was a former demonstration vehicle for Mercedes and that he had purchased it in the main to undertake chauffeuring as a private hire vehicle.

Members then retired to consider the application further and upon their return, it was

RESOLVED:                    The Sub-Committee considered the application made by Mr. M Carter to licence EN66 HRK. It noted that the application falls outside the Licensing Policy for first registration under paragraph 2.1. However, Members also considered paragraph 2.2 and 2.2.5 of the Policy and the exceptional circumstances in which the Policy may be relaxed ie exceptional condition of interior and exterior, and exceptional standards of safety.

                                         Both of the above Members felt were relevant   factors in this case.

                                         The Sub-Committee therefore granted the application for licence.

The Team Manager – Licensing presented a report that requested the Sub-Committee to consider an application to grant a licence for a Private Hire Vehicle.

She advised that the application had been made by Miles Hodges to licence a Skoda Superb vehicle registration number GX15 CSZ as a private hire vehicle to seat 4 persons. The vehicle was pre-owned and was first registered at the DVLA on 9 July 2015.

The Team Manager – Licensing confirmed that the application fell outside the Private Hire Vehicle Policy approved by the Licensing Committee. The vehicle was not wheelchair accessible, but there were specific policy guidelines in respect of the first licensing of private hire vehicles which fall outside policy guidelines, as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report. A service history had been provided in respect of the vehicle confirming that the vehicle was serviced in August 2016 at 15,346 miles.

Members then proceeded to the basement car park to inspect the vehicle.

Upon the meeting reconvening, the Team Manager – Licensing confirmed that the current mileage of the vehicle was 26,044.

Mr Hodges advised Members that he was looking to downsize his work commitments and do more private hire than hackney carriage work, and therefore, he felt that he needed a smaller vehicle for this purpose. He confirmed that the vehicle had one previous owner.

The Team Manager – Licensing asked Mr Hodges which operator he was linked to, to which he replied Ace Taxi’s Porthcawl.

Members then retired to consider the application further, whereupon on their return, it was

RESOLVED:                    The Sub-Committee considered the application made by Mr. M Hodges to licence GX15 CSZ. It noted that the application falls outside the Licensing Policy for first registration under paragraph 2.1. However, Members also considered paragraph 2.2 and 2.2.5 of the Policy and the exceptional circumstances in which the Policy may be relaxed ie exceptional condition of interior and exterior, and exceptional standards of safety.

                                         Both of the above Members felt were relevant   factors in this case.

                                         The Sub-Committee therefore granted the application for licence.

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 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 contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 and/or Paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

                                         Following the application of the public interest 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 so mentioned.

The meeting closed at 1.42pm