Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

None.

(Please complete the form provided at the meeting or telephone Corporate and Community Services to prepare a form for your signature before the meeting.  Interests must be re-declared when the item is called, and Councillors must leave the room if necessary).

There were no declarations of interest declared.

Agreed.

Report by the Lead Officer (attached).

Also present: the Applicant.

The Chair introduced herself, Members of the Sub-Committee, and Officers present and outlined the nature of the hearing. 

The Licensing Officer outlined his report (circulated previously) regarding an application for a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence (reference PFNV006).  He explained to the Sub-Committee that the application had been received from the Applicant in respect of a vehicle which did not meet the age criteria specifications of the North Devon District Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Licensing Policy of August 2016.  He then referred to the relevant part of the policy stated under section 3.5 Maximum Age of Vehicle.     

The Licensing Officer confirmed that the vehicle in question was a Volkswagen Touran Sport TDiwhich had been first registered on 28^th May 2013 and was therefore over five and a half years old. Its mileage was 76,317 as at 12^th October 2018 when the garage check was completed.  The Licensing Officer confirmed that the Applicant had previously held a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence from 6^th November 2017 until 5^th November 2018.  The application renewal had been submitted on 9^th November 2018.  He referred the Sub-Committee to appendix 1 of the report which was an email from the applicant explaining that he had accidently forgotten to renew the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence due to the stress of dealing with a family member’s illness.

The Chairman invited the applicant to address the Sub-Committee.

The Applicant advised that he had held a licence for five years, but had changed his vehicle in November 2017. His father-in-law had suffered a stroke prior to the applicant receiving a reminder letter from North Devon Council to renew his licence, so, during that stressful time, he had forgotten to renew it.  He then realised he had missed the date and the Licensing Team advised him that he would be required to come before the Sub-Committee due to the age of his vehicle.  The Applicant confirmed that he had ybrought the vehicle today and it was available for inspection.

The Chair noted that the applicant had missed the deadline to renew by four days only.

The Chair advised that she wished to examine the vehicle.

RESOLVED, that it being 10.14 am the meeting be adjourned to enable the Sub-Committee to inspect the vehicle.

RESOLVED, that it being 10.17 am and the conclusion of the inspection the meeting be reconvened.

The Sub-Committee agreed that the vehicle appeared to be in very good condition and was clean and tidy.

The Chair asked the Applicant to sum up.

The Applicant summed up. He confirmed that if his application was unsuccessful he would look to purchase a new vehicle in a couple of months’ time.

The Licensing Officer summed up.

RESOLVED, that everyone be excluded from the meeting with the exception of Members and the Legal representative in order for the Sub-Committee to receive legal advice in accordance with paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED that everyone be re-admitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.