Agenda and minutes

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2017.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2017 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

None.

The written questions and answers are appended to these minutes.

The Committee received its Work Plan for the current municipal year.

            RESOLVED that

(a)  the Work Plan is noted;

(b)  a report entitled ‘Gambling Act Policy Review’ is added to the unallocated items, with the intention of finalising the policy review during the 2018/19 municipal year.

Further to Minute 26(a), the Committee received a report reviewing the Licensed Vehicle Standards Policy regarding tinted windows in private hire vehicles.

Currently the policy on tinted windows was that all newly licensed private hire vehicles must have windows with at least 50% light transmittance.  However, in light of issues raised since this policy was introduced, the Committee considered the possible options to amend the policy by allowing windows with less light transmittance.

RECOMMENDED TO FULL COUNCIL that the Licensed Vehicle Standards regarding tinted windows in private hire vehicles be amended to permit tinted glass windows, provided that they are only supplied as standard by the original vehicle manufacturer and comply with current vehicle Construction and Use Regulations 1986 (as amended) with respect to the fitting of tinted, opaque, darkened or privacy glass windows.  Do-it-yourself window tint film kits are not permissible.

The Committee received a report proposing revisions to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Enforcement Policy to take account of changes to the availability of driver assessments.

RECOMMENDED TO FULL COUNCIL that the revised and updated Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Enforcement Policy, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be approved, subject to the following amendments under the heading of ‘Licensing Sub-Committee’:

(a)    The fourth bullet point under ’Where cases are referred to the   Licensing Sub-Committee, the Licensing Team will:’ be amended to read:

‘Allow the licence holder (with or without representation) the opportunity to address the Sub-Committee to present his/her case and provide supporting evidence.’;

(b)     The final paragraph to read:

‘In situations where immediate action is required to secure public safety, or the licensing authority is unable to convene a Licensing Sub-Committee within a reasonable time, the Environment and Licensing Manager shall, under delegated authority and in consultation with the Chair or Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee, take action.’

Since the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) had ceased providing assessments for taxi and private hire drivers, the Council had established a list of three approved organisations to undertake them. 

In order to fill gaps in the current provision, the Committee received a report proposing amendments to the approved list of driving standard assessment providers.  These proposals would give driver licence applicants more choice and also include assessments for those with vehicles adapted for transporting people while seated in a wheelchair. 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the proposals for additional providers of driver assessment in accord with DVSA criteria for the purposes of Hackney Carriage and private hire driver licensing, as set out in paragraph 7 of the report, be approved.

Any references arising from meetings held after the publication of this agenda will be circulated separately.

None.

To deal with any matters of an urgent nature.

None.