A maximum of 15 minutes will be allocated to public questions submitted in writing to Democratic Services (democratic.services@trafford.gov.uk) by 4pm on the working day prior to the meeting.  Questions must be within the remit of the Sub-Committee or be relevant to items appearing on the agenda and will be submitted in the order in which they were received.

No questions from members of the public were received.

Motion (Which may be amended as Members think fit):

That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

To consider a report from the Head of Regulatory Services.

The Head of Regulatory Services submitted a report requesting Members to consider a Hackney Carriage licence where the driver failed to renew on time by not submitting the whole documentation by the date the renewal was due and was now applying for a new licence despite the vehicle still not complying with the Euro 6 compliance and emission standards.

Mr H.E. explained that he had submitted payment on the day the renewal was due but did not receive a reference number due to a malfunctioning if the Council’s website and as such was unable to complete the application for the renewal on the same day.  He had tried many times to submit the application also by sending emails through but was unsuccessful.  He stated that he had made numerous attempts to get in touch with Council staff and that he had also attended the Town Hall to try and submit his application but was told he needed to complete this via the website.  Given the deadline had now passed Mr H.E. submitted a new application for a new licence for a vehicle which is required to meet the Euro 6 regulations by December 2025.

Members recognised that Mr H.E. had tried with vigour to meet the deadline for the renewal of the licence despite the difficulties encountered online and that he had been a driver for 5 years without any problems.

RESOLVED: That a new grant of a hackney carriage proprietor’s vehicle licence be granted.

To consider a report from the Head of Regulatory Services.

The Head of Regulatory Services submitted a report requesting Members to consider a Hackney Carriage licence where the driver failed to renew on time by not submitting the whole documentation by the date the renewal was due given the MOT certificate could not be provided.  The vehicle is 17 years old and does not meet the Euro 6 compliance and emission standards.  To date the MOT certificate is still outstanding.

Mr S.C. stated that he was having difficulties with garages not being able to bring his vehicle to standards and produce  a MOT certificate.  This has now been done and the vehicle is fit.  Mr S. C. explained he emailed in to inform that the vehicle would not have been repaired on time and he was told that unfortunately his licence had expired.

Mr S.C. explained that driving the cab is his only income and that he would have had the MOT certificate ready in time to submit a full application had he not encountered difficulties with garages not being able to repair the vehicle.

Members discussed the case at length: 5 Members were in favour of renewing the licence whereas 3 were against as they were of the opinion Mr S.C. had not explored all reasonable options to enable him to submit a full application by the due date.

RESOLVED: That a new grant of a hackney carriage proprietor’s vehicle licence be granted pending submission of the MOT certificate.

Any other item or items (not likely to disclose “exempt information”) which, by reason of special circumstances (to be specified), the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency.

The Head of Regulatory Services submitted a report asking members to consider a licence where reports of inappropriate comments to female passengers were made by the Uber driver.

          RESOLVED: That the licence be revoked.