Resolved – That Councillor D Burgess-Joyce be appointed Chair for this meeting.

Members of the Panel are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests, in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members of the Panel were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

The Corporate Director for Business Management reported upon an application received to approve an LEVC TX Electric Cab as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle.

At the meeting of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee on 25 November 2015, Members resolved that the consideration of applications for the approval of new makes and models of vehicles to be licensed as Hackney Carriage Vehicles be delegated to the Licensing Panel.

An application had been received to approve the LEVC TX Electric Cab as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle. The vehicle was presented at the meeting, which Members of the Panel inspected.

Members were advised that the Vehicle had European Whole Vehicle Type Approval to M1 requirements and had been issued with a Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) certificate.

The applicant attended the meeting and provided documentation to support his application. The vehicle was inspected by Members.

Members considered the representations made by the applicant and had particular regard to the submissions that the vehicle was heavily based on the current ‘London Cab’ TX Hackney Carriages commonly licensed on the Wirral in terms of shape and functionality.

Resolved – That the application to licence the LEVC TX Electric Cab be approved to be licensed as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle.

The Corporate Director for Business Management reported on an application to license the Vauxhall Vivaro VX8 as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle.

At the meeting of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee on 25 November 2015, Members resolved that the consideration of applications for the approval of new makes and models of vehicles to be licensed as Hackney Carriage Vehicles be delegated to the Licensing Panel.

An application had been received to approve the Vauxhall Vivaro VX8 as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle. The vehicle was presented at the meeting, which Members of the Panel inspected.

Members were advised that the Vehicle had European Whole Vehicle Type Approval to M1 requirements and had been issued with an EC certificate of Conformity. The certificate was available at the meeting, for Members to consider.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Vauxhall Vivaro VX8 be approved to be licensed as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle to carry seven passengers.

(2)  That the vehicle only be licensed to carry one front seat passenger.

(3)  That the vehicle be clearly marked as a Hackney Carriage vehicle as approved by Licensing Officers.

The Corporate Director for Business Management reported on an application received to exempt a Mercedes E220, registration number DF68 AGY from displaying Private Hire Vehicle Licence plates and to exempt the driver (or drivers) of the vehicle from wearing a Private Hire Driver Badge.

The owner of the vehicle was present at the meeting and made representations in support of his application. The vehicle was also presented at the meeting which members of the Panel inspected.

 Resolved:

(1)  That the proprietor of the Mercedes E220, registration number DF68 AGY be provided with a notice providing an exemption from the requirement to display Private Hire Vehicle Licence plates on the vehicle and to exempt the drivers from the requirement to wear a Private Hire Driver Badge.

(2)  That the vehicle may only be used in circumstances where confirmation of the booking is made to the customer which includes the following:

·  Booking must be made 24 hours in advance;

·  The applicant text/email his customers including a picture of the driver of the vehicle together with details of the name of the driver, badge number and registration number of the vehicle.

(3)  That the vehicle may only undertake work through an invoicing system.

(4)  That officers be delegated to license another vehicle of the same specification for the same use to this applicant in future.

The Corporate Director for Business Management reported on an application received to exempt a BMW 520, registration number MW66 CUO from displaying Private Hire Vehicle Licence plates and to exempt the driver (or drivers) of the vehicle from wearing a Private Hire Driver Badge.

The owner of the vehicle was present at the meeting. The vehicle was presented at the meeting which members of the Panel inspected.

 Resolved:

(1)  That the proprietor of the BMW 520, registration number MW66 CUO be provided with a notice providing an exemption from the requirement to display Private Hire Vehicle Licence plates on the vehicle and to exempt the drivers from the requirement to wear a Private Hire Driver Badge.

(2)  That the vehicle may only be used in circumstances where confirmation of the booking is made to the customer which includes the following:

·  Booking must be made 24 hours in advance;

·  The applicant text/email his customers including a picture of the driver of the vehicle together with details of the name of the driver, badge number and registration number of the vehicle.

(3)  That the vehicle may only undertake work through an invoicing system.

(4)  That officers be delegated to license another vehicle of the same specification for the same use to this applicant in future.

The Corporate Director for Business Management reported upon an application received to license an Audi A8, registration W1 RRA, as a Private Hire Vehicle.

The applicant was unable to attend the meeting.

Resolved – That the applicant be invited to attend a future meeting of the Licensing Panel should he wish to pursue his application.

Resolved - That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the relevant paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.

The Corporate Director for Business Management reported upon an application received by Mr BDJ for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence.

Members considered the representations made by Mr BDJ as well as the information and representations made in support by Mr H on his behalf.

Members gave due consideration to the representations made and exercised their rights to consider each case on its individual merits in light of the representations made.

Resolved – That Mr BDJ’s application for the grant of a Private Hire Driver Licence be approved.

Resolved – Mr JL did not attend as he had chosen to rescind his license.

Cllr David Burgess-Joyce left the meeting for a prior appointment.

Resolved – That Councillor L Rowlands be appointed Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

The Corporate Director for Business Management submitted a report to Members to consider whether Mr AA should continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Licence. Mr AA attended the meeting and made representations.

Members gave due consideration to Mr AA’s representations and exercised their rights to consider each case on its individual merits in light of representations made.

Resolved

(1)   That Mr AA be allowed to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage Driver Licence.

(2)  That Mr AA be issued with a written warning from Members of the Licensing Panel as to his future conduct.