The Team Manager Licensing submitted a report regarding an application by Easyway Minibus Hire Limited to licence a Mercedes Sprinter vehicle registration number EB09 WAY as a private hire vehicle to seat 8 persons. 

Mr Richard Morris of Easyway Minibus Hire Limited attended in support of the application and the Sub-Committee adjourned the meeting in order to view the vehicle.  On inspecting the vehicle, the mileage was confirmed as being 83,339 miles. 

The Team Manager Licensing informed the Sub-Committee that the vehicle is pre-owned and first registered at the DVLA on 24 April 2009, is wheelchair accessible and fitted with a tail lift.  The vehicle is currently registered to Easyway Minibus Hire Limited and has been tested as a Private Service Vehicle to seat 16 passengers.  She stated that the application falls outside the Private Hire Vehicle age policy for wheelchair accessible vehicles which are under three years in age at the time of application.  She also stated that there were additional policy guidelines which fall outside policy guidelines.

The Team Manager Licensing informed the Sub-Committee that the         applicant had provided a Certificate of Initial Fitness; a Public Service Test Certificate; Brake test result; LOLAR examination certificate in respect of tail lift fitted to vehicle; delivery inspection handover document together with oil service and maintenance work for the vehicle.  The Team Manager Licensing also informed the Sub-Committee that the applicant had been advised that it would be necessary to obtain an updated V5 Registration Certificate which showed that the vehicle is constructed and adapted to seat 8 passengers.  She stated that the applicant will also be required to demonstrate that if seats have been removed or re-configured, this has been undertaken to a safe standard and all seats are anchored correctly.  She also stated that the applicant had indicated that he wished to wait for a decision in principle before undertaking these requirements and in the event of the application being granted conditions be imposed relating to the V5 certification and testing of the seating, anchorage and tracking.

The applicant informed the Sub-Committee that the vehicle had been in the company’s ownership for 2-3 years and had been used as a public service vehicle.  In the event of the application being successful, the company proposed to use the vehicle on a contract for a special school in Penarth where there were 3 regular wheelchair users.  It was proposed to use the vehicle for private hire vehicle at other times and to convey students attending Weston House at Bridgend College.  The company had experienced difficulty in recruiting drivers with public service vehicle licences, but had a number of drivers holding licences to drive taxis and it would be beneficial to use the vehicle form private hire work.

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

RESOLVED:            That the Sub-Committee has considered the application to licence a Mercedes Sprinter registration number EB09 WAY.  The Sub-Committee has considered the application and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.  The Sub-Committee has decided that the vehicle is in an exceptional condition and falls within the policy for wheelchair accessible vehicles and on that basis is prepared to grant the licence subject to the applicant providing an updated V5 Registration Certificate and providing evidence that the reconfiguration of the seating has been carried out to a safe standard and all seats have been anchored correctly and evidence that the vehicle has the correct tracking.