Agenda item

That a Private Hire Vehicle Licence be granted for the vehicle, which would require exemption from some of the Private Hire Vehicle Specifications, and that the following conditions be applied:

1.    That the towing unit be disabled

2.    That signage be put in the vehicle to assist passengers with the emergency exists

3.    That the champagne holders be modified

4.      That the front passenger seat be removed when it was being used for private hire use of special events

Prior to introducing the report, the Senior Licensing Officer explained that she had the following additional paperwork for Members’ information which had been received since despatch of the agenda and the Chairman said there would be a 10 minute adjournment for Members to read the paperwork:

·         Risk Assessment

·         Driver Health Requirements Form

·         MOT Test Certificate

·         Number Plate Authorisation Certificate

·         Invoice of Freight Forwarding

·         Sale Invoice

·         Vehicle Noise Emission Control Information

In addition for Members to read was the Special Event Vehicles Licensed as Private Hire Vehicles – Conditions of Licence, which had been omitted from the paperwork.

Following the adjournment, the Chairman welcomed back the Senior Licensing Officer, who was accompanied by the applicant, to the meeting and explained the procedure.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report which sought determination of an application for a Private Hire Vehicle Licence for a special event vehicle which would require exemption from some of the Private Hire Vehicle Specifications as detailed in Appendix C to the report.

Where there was a direct contradiction between the Private Hire Vehicle Specifications and the Special Event Vehicles Licensed as Private Hire Vehicles – Conditions of Licence, the latter would take precedent.

Since completion of the report, the Senior Licensing Officer had received information from the DVLA and asked the following questions of the applicant for clarification:

1.    Had the DVLA been supplied with a copy of the importation document?  Yes they had.

2.    Was there still potential to carry a load?  Yes but it was his intention to weld a bar underneath the stainless steel plate to prevent towing and replace the stainless steel bar over the welding

3.    Were the seat belts lawful? Yes they were, both the 3 point belts and the lap belts

The Chairman asked where the vehicle was stored and the applicant explained that it was mainly kept at Deeside Trucks except from when it was being cleaned when it was then kept at the side of his property.

Following a question from Councillor Banks, the applicant explained where the access and egress points were, including the emergency exists.  He also confirmed it was not his intention, at the moment, to provide alcohol.  However, the Senior Licensing Officer said if passengers provided their own alcohol then this was not licensable.

The Sub-Committee left the meeting to view the vehicle which was in the Council’s car park. 

On returning to the meeting, the Senior Licensing Officer advised that the front passenger seat would need to be removed if a licence was granted as the limit was for 8 seats.

The Senior Licensing Officer and the applicant left the meeting for Members to consider the application.

            DETERMINATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION

The Sub-Committee consideration the report, the details provided verbally at the meeting and the viewing of the vehicle. 

Following careful considered of all of the information and evidence provided, the Sub-Committee felt it was appropriate to grant a Private Hire Vehicle Licence for the vehicle as a special event vehicle, which would require exemption from some of the Private Hire Vehicle Specifications to become licensed.  They agreed four conditions and an advisory note for the applicant.

            DECISION

The Senior Licensing Officer and the applicant were invited to return to the meeting.

The Chairman advised that, in consideration of the written and oral evidence, and following the viewing of the vehicle, the Sub-Committee felt it was appropriate to grant a Private Hire Licence for the vehicle as a special event vehicle, which would require exemption from some of the Private Hire Vehicle Specifications to become licensed, with the following conditions being placed on the licence:

1.    That the towing unit be disabled

2.    That signage be put in the vehicle to assist passengers with the emergency exists

3.    That the champagne holders be modified

4.    That the front passenger seat be removed when it was being used for private hire use of special events

In addition, the Chairman added an advisory note to the applicant for him to assist when unloading passengers as the vehicle was left hand drive which meant it was more likely that the door would open onto the road.

RESOLVED:

That a Private Hire Vehicle Licence be granted for the vehicle, which would require exemption from some of the Private Hire Vehicle Specifications, and that the following conditions be applied:

1.    That the towing unit be disabled

2.    That signage be put in the vehicle to assist passengers with the emergency exists

3.    That the champagne holders be modified

4.      That the front passenger seat be removed when it was being used for private hire use of special events