To receive and if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 18^th April, 2013, 16^th May, 2013, 20^th June, 2013 and 18th July, 2013.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Public Protection Sub-Committee meetings held on 18^th April 2013, 16^th May 2013, 20^th June 2013 and 18^th July 2013 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report of the Head of Public Protection.

The Head of Public Protection submitted a report requesting Members to consider a request from Allied Vehicles Limited to agree interim arrangements which would allow the Council to consider individual applications to licence the Peugeot E7 Taxi, pending a full review of the Council’s Hackney Carriage Vehicle Policy.

Representations were made by Mr. Guilliatt, Allied Vehicles, Mr. Francis, London Taxi Company and several members of the Trade.

(Note: During the meeting it became apparent that legal advice, likely to lead to the disclosure of exempt information was needed by the Sub-Committee and the Chairman invited the Sub-Committee to exclude the Press and public from the meeting whilst this advice was given).

RESOLVED: That members of the Press and public be excluded from the meeting by virtue of Paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 to enable the Sub-Committee to receive, consider and debate legal advice.

Members of the Press and public returned to the meeting to allow the Chairman to announce the Sub-Committee’s decision.

RESOLVED –

(1)                That in addition to the vehicles currently authorised, the Licensing Team Leader be authorised to consider licensing as a Hackney Carriage any vehicle which meets all of the following criteria:

·                 Any vehicle which has European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval; and has a Certificate of Conformity specific to that vehicle; and

·                 is black in colour and displays the word “Taxi” on an illuminated roof sign and on either side of the vehicle; and

·                 has been constructed to facilitate the carriage of disabled persons comfortably and securely and is capable of accommodating a disabled person in a wheelchair in the passenger compartment (acknowledging that not all wheelchairs may be accommodated); and

·                 has suitable ramps for a wheelchair user; and

·                 is less than four years old or in exceptional condition.

(2)                That pending a full review of the Council’s current Hackney Carriage Vehicle, the Licensing Team Leader also be authorised to consider licensing as a Hackney Carriage any vehicle even though it does not meet the Condition of Fitness turning circle requirement, provided it meets all the above criteria.

(3)                That the Sub-Committee agree the scope of the full review of the current Hackney Carriage Vehicle Policy as detailed at paragraph 3 of the report and that a report be presented to the Sub-Committee in June 2014 following a twelve week consultation period with relevant stakeholders, recommending appropriate amendments to the policy.