Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

The Chairman informed the committee that Mr Hayat, Chairman of the Cherwell Valley Taxi association had requested to address the committee but that this request had been withdrawn.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There was no urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 11 June 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2009 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To note the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 1 May 2009.

The minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee meeting held on 1 May 2009 were noted by the Committee.

To note the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 15 July 2009.

The minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee meeting held on 15 July 2009 were noted by the Committee.

To note the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 4 August 2009.

The minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee meeting held on 4 August 2009 were noted by the Committee.

** Appendix 1 to follow **

Report of Head of Urban and Rural Services

Summary

To report on the feedback from the Hackney Carriage Vehicles (HCV’s) and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV’s) Specification consultation that was agreed at the 11 June 2009 Licensing Committee meeting.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1)                 Note the feedback received on the Vehicle Specification consultation.

2)                 Approve amendments to the current Vehicle Specification taking into account the consultation feedback as set out in the attached     Appendix 1.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Urban and Rural Services which reported the responses to the consultation on the Hackney Carriage Vehicles and Private Hire Vehicles Specification. The committee were advised that the specification would be effective from 1 December 2009.

The committee discussed how purpose built vehicles would be identifiable as licensed taxis and were advised that the vehicles would have to be easily identifiable and that many purpose built vehicles are wheelchair accessible and by allowing purpose built vehicles this would increase the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles in operation.

The committee considered whether advertising on the rear of roof signs was appropriate, the committee requested that non-religious was added to list of approved advertising.

Resolved

1)           That the feedback received on the vehicle specification consultation is noted

2)           That the amendments to the current Vehicles Specification with the amendments set out in Appendix 1 in the minute book is agreed subject to the following amendments:

a)                 Ref no 6.2 that non-religious is added to the list of approved advertising.

b)                 That metric measurements are used consistently through the document.