Agenda and minutes

None.

There were no declarations of any interests.

Report of the Director of Development, Enterprise and Communities (enclosed).

The General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel considered an application by Mr Ian House of 172 Chapel Lane, New Longton, Lancashire, PR4 4AE.  The Applicant wished for his vehicle, a Private Hire Vehicle Registration Number: V14 MRH Silver Mercedes Vito to be exempt to display its external plates. The Operators’ licence is held in the name of Ian House Limited. 

In reaching its decision the Panel considered both Written and Oral Evidence presented in connection with the hearing, the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976/Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (where applicable) and the Council’s Policy

The Panel considered the written and oral representations made by the Licensing Officer and the Applicant.

The vehicle was inspected by all members of the Panel.

The Panel noted that the vehicle had had been granted a Private Hire Vehicle licence on the 8^th August 2017.

The Panel were informed that the Applicant had been licensed with the Council since 2009.

The Applicant provided that he had executive hire contracts with a number of large companies locally.  Furthermore, he had contracts with a couple of travel companies which require that no external signage is displayed on any vehicles.  The Applicant provided the documentation from one of the travel companies stating this. 

The Applicant told the Panel that he does not advertise the vehicle, but that the company does have a webpage.

The Applicant was questioned whether there would be any issue in giving  assistance to the disabled/elderly individuals getting into/out of the vehicle. The Applicant stated that this was not an issue, as one of the current contracts with a travel company is for the over 50’s.

RESOLVED (Unanimously): To grant the application for the following reasons:

The Panel took into account Paragraph 7.13 of the Council’s Policy.  This states:-

The Panel took into account Paragraph 7.13 of the Council’s Policy.  This states:-

“Where a private hire vehicle is of exceptional quality and is to be used exclusively for executive hire work, the proprietor may apply for an exemption from the requirements to display the licence plate on the exterior of the vehicle and the private hire door stickers.”

The Panel having inspected the vehicle were of the view that it was a vehicle of exceptional quality. 

It was accepted the vehicle was to be used exclusively for executive work.

Report of the Director of Development, Enterprise and Communities (enclosed).

The General Licensing Sub-Committee Panel considered an application by Mr & Mrs Holland of 4 Greystock Close, Bamber Bridge, PR5 6YS.  The Applicants wished for their vehicle, a Private Hire Vehicle Registration Number: PN63 BFO, a black Jaguar XJ to be exempt to display its external plates. Mr & Mrs Holland jointly hold an Operators’ licence and trade as “Chauff/Air”. 

In reaching its decision the Committee took into account both Written and Oral Evidence, the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976/Town Police Clauses Act 1847 (where applicable) and the Council’s Policy.

The Panel considered the written and oral representations made by the Licensing Officer and the Applicants. The vehicle was inspected by all members of the Panel and Members noted that the vehicle had had been granted a Private Hire Vehicle licence on the 1 September 2017.

The Panel were informed that the Applicants had been in business for over 20 years.  However, in the last 10 years they had concentrated exclusively on providing executive work to the senior management of companies with which they had contracts.

The Applicants told the Panel that they do not advertise the vehicle, but that the company does have a webpage.  The majority of their work is by word of mouth. 

RESOLVED (Unanimously): To grant the application for the following reasons:

The Panel took into account Paragraph 7.13 of the Council’s Policy.  This states:-

“Where a private hire vehicle is of exceptional quality and is to be used exclusively for executive hire work, the proprietor may apply for an exemption from the requirements to display the licence plate on the exterior of the vehicle and the private hire door stickers. 

The Panel having inspected the vehicle were of the view that it was a vehicle of exceptional quality. 

It was accepted the vehicle was to be used exclusively for executive work.