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 advised the committee that Mr Hyatt, representing Cherwell Valley Hackney Association and Mr Lyons, representing the North Oxfordshire Hackney Association, had requested to address the meeting at agenda item 7, Licensing of Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles.

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 meetings of the Committee held on 11 March 2009 and 20 May 2009.

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

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 20 April 2009.

Minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee Meeting held on Monday 20 April 2009 were noted by the committee.

Report of the Head of Urban and Rural Services

Summary

The purpose of this report is to present a review of the vehicle specification documents currently used by the Licensing Authority for the licensing of Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles.

Recommendations

The Licensing Committee is recommended to:

1)                 Review the Policy proposals at Annex 1 of this report and authorise officers to carry out consultation on those items of Policy the Committee agree for amendment.

2)                 Note the comments at paragraphs 5.6 and 7.3 regarding future changes to the knowledge testing provisions and agree that any such changes are included in the consultation exercise.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Urban and Rural Services presenting a review of vehicle specification documents for the licensing of taxi and private hire vehicles.

The committee discussed the vehicle specification and made comments so Officers could consult on the proposed document.

Mr Hyatt and Mr Lyon addressed the committee.

Resolved

1)                 That the recommendations relating to the consultation on the vehicle specification documents for the licensing of taxi and private hire vehicles as set out in Annex 1 in the minute book be agreed with the following amendments:

a)                 Ref no 1.8 that options and costs implications of an out of hours vehicle inspection service be explored in the consultation document and that a definition of major and minor incidents be added to the specification.

b)                 Ref no 3.4 that Officers investigate the use of mileage or emissions as an alternative to age restriction when granting a vehicle licence for a vehicle which is more than 5 years old, considering mileage and emissions.

c)                  Ref no 3.5 that the council policy not to renew the license of any vehicle once it is more that 7 years old be suspended until the end of September.

d)                 Ref no 8.1 that the labelling of where the first aid kit and fire extinguisher is located in the vehicle be added to the consultation.

2)                 That suggested changes to the knowledge testing be included in the consultation.

Report of the Head of Urban and Rural Services

Summary

The purpose of this report is to seek the authority of the Licensing Committee to respond to any relevant consultation documents after discussion with the Chairman of the Licensing Committee.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Licensing Committee authorise the Chairman, or in their absence the Vice Chairman, to formulate a response with officers to relevant consultation documents on behalf of the Licensing Committee.

The committee considered a report of the Head of Urban and Rural Services which sought authority for Officers to respond to any Licensing consultation documents in discussion with the Chairman or Vice-Chairman in his absence.

Resolved

That Officers be authorised to respond to formulate a response in consultation with the Chairman or Vice-Chairman in his absence to relevant consultation documents on behalf of the Licensing Committee