Agenda and draft minutes

The Legal Advisor to the committee explained that apologies had been received from the Chair and Vice Chair.

In line with provision in the Council’s constitution members were asked to elect a chair for the meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor James Gleeson and seconded by Councillor John Rainsbury that,

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That Councillor Peter Gabbott be appointed as Chair for the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillors Jane Bell, Julie Buttery, Hilary Bedford, Jasmine Gleave and Paul Wharton-Hardman.

Councillor John Rainsbury was in attendance as substitute for Councillor Jasmine Gleave.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Member’s Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgement of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting are approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting are approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting are approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting are approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting are approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting are approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting are approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive attached.

The Licensing Manager presented a report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive that provided feedback on the consultation carried out in response to the intended policy amendments, with regards to the age of vehicles licenced by the authority.

The Licensing Manager explained the background to the report and advised officers were proposing to change policy to allow Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) and Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPV) to remain licensed until twelve years old. The change would only affect the 11 vehicles on fleet that were currently not compliant.

Members noted that WAV type vehicles had been given a grace period in London within the Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) which exempts them from paying the ULEZ charge until 24 October 2027 due to concerns about the cost of replacing the vehicles and the resulting unmet demand of having too little vehicles on fleet.

The Licensing Manager explained the policy would not include any new vehicles licenced by the authority and the number of non-euro 6 compliant vehicles would be reduced as vehicles are changed or become twelve years old.

A member not on committee raised a point around the terminology of wheelchair users and explained that not all wheelchair users were bound. Members agreed to reflect this in the policy wording.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    Committee note the contents of the report.

2.    Committee agrees to amend the policy wording to include WAV and MPV vehicles that are not euro 6 compliant to be exempt from being euro 6 and remain licensed until 12 years old.

3.    Committee agrees to amend the term “wheelchair bound” to include reference to wheelchair users.

4.    The report is agreed to be presented at the next meeting of Full Council with a recommendation for formal adoption of the proposed policy changes.