The Director of Law and Corporate Services submitted a report for the Licensing Panel to consider an application to amend a condition attached to a current Private Hire Vehicle Licence namely a Ford C-Max, registration number LX18 SZV to increase the number of passengers permitted to be carried in the vehicle from four to six.

The Licensing Manager reminded Members of the current criteria that vehicles must comply with before being granted a Private Hire Vehicle Licence includes the following: The vehicle must be fitted (in addition to the front drivers and passengers doors) with at least two side/rear opening doors and all doors must be easily accessible to all passengers and capable of being opened from inside.

The vehicle was issued with a Private Hire Vehicle Licence to carry four passengers on 12 August 2024. The V5 Logbook for the vehicle states that the number of seats within the vehicle is seven. The date of first registration of this vehicle is 30 June 2019.

The vehicle had been examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations and the MOT and Compliance pass certificates were provided in advance of the meeting.

The Licensing Manager spoke of the safety implications arising out of this report as the Licensing Panel must be satisfied that the vehicle is safe, suitable and comfortable to be licensed as a Private Hire Vehicle for six passengers.

The proprietor attended the meeting with the vehicle which the Licensing Panel inspected. The proprietor explained to the panel that they only undertook school contract work, and the increase was to accommodate more passengers for this purpose.

Resolved – That:

The application to amend a condition attached to the Ford C-Max, registration number LX18 SZV current Private Hire Vehicle Licence to increase the number of passengers permitted to be carried in the vehicle from four to six, be changed to an increase from four to five, with the following conditions:

·  The middle seat in the back of the vehicle is to be removed in its entirety. Upon completion the vehicle will need to be re-inspected by licensing officers.

·  Once the seat is removed the proprietor must ensure the now empty space where the middle seat once was must not be used by passengers to store their luggage.

·  The proprietors Private Hire Vehicle Licence will be changed to that of one only allowing school contract work.

The Director of Law and Corporate Services submitted a report for the Licensing Panel to consider a request to license a Mercedes V Class, Registration number MJ20 XNN as a Private Hire Vehicle outside of the current criteria which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%.

The proprietor also requested an exemption from the requirement to display Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates on this vehicle. It was a legal requirement that when a Private Hire Vehicle Licence was granted, the council must issue a plate or disc identifying that vehicle as a Private Hire Vehicle.

The vehicle had been tested at one of the authorised testing stations and a copy of the test certificates was made available in advance of the meeting.

The applicant attended the meeting with the vehicle which the Licensing Panel inspected.

Resolved –

(1) That the application to license the Mercedes V Class, registration number MJ20 XNN as a Private Hire Vehicle, outside of the criteria for licensing Private Hire Vehicles which states that the front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light through and the windows rear of the B-pillar must allow a minimum light transmission of 30%, be granted.

(2) That the request from the proprietor to exempt the Mercedes V Class, Registration number MJ20 XNN from the requirement to display Private Hire Vehicle Licence Plates on this vehicle be granted.

(3) That the following conditions be attached to the Private Hire Vehicle Licence with the following conditions:

· All bookings for the vehicle must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

· Payment for all bookings must be requested through an invoicing system.

· The operator must communicate with customers for each booking taken, by text or email, with the following information:

- Private Hire Driver name

- Private Hire Driver photograph

- Private Hire Driver badge number

- Private Hire Vehicle registration number

For the avoidance of doubt, the above conditions also apply in respect of drivers and vehicles undertaking work for bookings subcontracted to other private hire companies.

• The exemption notice provided by the council must be retained in the vehicle at all times

• The badge identifying the Private Hire Driver of the vehicle must be displayed in a prominent position in the vehicle where it can easily be seen by passengers

• The vehicle licence plates must be retained within the vehicle at all times

Decision to tender for the Therapeutic Support for Children Looked After - Combined Local Authority contract.

The Director of Children Family and Education Services has approved that a procurement exercise be commenced seeking tenders for a new specialist provider who will provide therapeutic support to Children Looked After in Wirral based upon the specification set out in paragraph 3.10 of the accompanying report.

This report recommends acceptance of a tender fromIdverde Ltd, company number 06539986, for the provision of gritter drivers required for the Winter Service Gritting Operation.

The works provided under the proposed contract is to enable the Council to meet its statutory duties under Section 41(1a) of the Highways Act 1980 (as amended) to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that safe passage along a highway is not endangered by snow or ice’.

The report supports the delivery of the Council Plan: Wirral Working Together 2023-27, specifically the themes: Safe Resilient and engaged communities, Protect our environment, people focussed regeneration and promoting independence and healthier lives.

Appendix 1 of this report is exempt from publication pursuant to paragraph 3 of the part 1 of Schedule 12 A of the Local Government Act 1972 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) because it contains or refers to information relating to the financial and business affairs of tenderers and the Council and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services has agreed to:

1.  endorse the competitive tendering exercise that is outlined in paragraph 3 of the accompanying report; and

2.  award the contract for the provision of gritter drivers required for the Winter Service Gritting Operation to Idverde Ltd (company registration number 06539986) as the most economically advantageous tenderer for an estimated contract value of £1,400,000 for a term of 3 years, commencing on 1 November 2024, with an option to extend a further 2 years.

The Director of Finance has approved the procurement process for the commissioning by the Council of enforcement agent services by issuing an invitation to tender under the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation Enforcement Agency Services, for the collection of outstanding debt under the following separate lots:

• Lot 1 - The collection of Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates, Housing Benefit Overpayments and Sundry Debts; and
• Lot 2 - The recovery of Parking Enforcement Charges.

Councillor Jerry Williams left the meeting for the duration of this item as he had declared an interest in it.

The Principal Planning and Enforcement Team Leader presented the application for consideration, which had come before the Committee as a petition in objection had been received.

Local Councillor, Councillor Andrew Hodson, addressed the Committee. 

The Lead Petitioner addressed the Committee.

A representative of the Heswall Society, a local consultee, addressed the Committee.

The Applicant’s agent addressed the Committee.

On a motion from the Chair, Councillor Stuart Kelly, and seconded by Councillor Jason Walsh-McDonald, it was

Resolved – That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission.

2. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans received by the local planning authority on August 13 & 19 2024 and listed as follows:

Existing Site Location Plan A100, Proposed Site Plan A102, Proposed Ground and First Floor Plans A103, Proposed Elevations A104, Proposed Elevations 02 A105.

3. The side facing ground floor utility room windows and rear facing first floor walk-in wardrobe window shall not be glazed otherwise than with obscured glass and fixed shut (with the exception of an opening light above 1.7 metres should this be required) on installation and thereafter be permanently retained as such.

4. The Arboricultural Method Statement and the Tree Protection Plan (dated August 2024) submitted in support of the application shall be adhered to in full.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024 be approved.

Resolved – That the draft Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy be approved.