Agenda item

Prior to consideration of the report the Chair expressed his sadness at the sudden passing of Mick Ormond who had been such a key partner in shaping the taxi policy. One minutes silence was held in memory of Mick.

A report was submitted to request that the Committee consider the Revised Taxi Licensing Policy for Newcaslte under Lyme and that the revised Policy be implemented from 1st May 2015.

The Committee considered the additional responses that had been received to the consultation exercise and agreed to the following amendments:

1.    That where a vehicle fails the exceptional circumstances test that a period of 2 months be allowed for the proprietor to find a suitable replacement vehicle. This vehicle must be under 5 years of age when it is then first tested. Upon passing the Council test the vehicle licence will run from the expiry of the previous licence. (Please note that this only applies where a vehicle has failed the exceptional circumstances test).

2.    That it be made clear that the requirement for any vehicle to have a compete service history when it is tested for exceptional circumstances is only an influencing factor and that any service history would only be sought from the date of implementation of this policy (1st May 2015).

Resolved:

a)         That the final Taxi Licensing Policy for Newcaslte under Lyme be implemented from 1st May 2015.

c)         That any Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licences issued to vehicles over 8 years of age will have until 31st June 2015 to meet any “exceptional condition” standards that may be contained in the final Taxi Licensing Policy.

d)         That where a vehicle fails to meet the ‘exceptional circumstances’ conditions, the licence will be deemed expired and a refund made as set out in the report.