Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer advised the meeting of the procedure.

There were none.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were none.

There was none.

These were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman explained the procedure to be followed for the meeting and all parties stated they had read, heard and understood the procedure.

The Sub-Committee is asked to consider passing the following resolution:

“the Sub-Committee having been satisfied that the public interest would be better served by not disclosing relevant information, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, RESOLVES that the public shall be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business and the reporting of the meeting be prevented under Section 100A(5A), because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended.   

The members of the Sub-Committee agreed that they were satisfied that the public interest would be better served by not disclosing relevant information, in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972. They RESOLVED that the public should be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business and the reporting of the meeting be prevented under Section 100A(5A), because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended.

The Public Protection Officer (Licensing) presented the report to the Sub-Committee. He explained that the report invited the Members to consider whether the Licensee concerned remains fit and proper to hold a combined Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver’s licence.

Decision and Reasons

Members have had to consider whether a Licensee remained a fit and proper person to hold a combined Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Drivers licence issued by Bath and North East Somerset Council to drive in the Bath and North East Somerset area, subject to the conditions attached to the license and a satisfactory DBS check and DVLA check as appropriate.

The current licence is valid from 1 March 2019 to 28 February 2022

In doing so they took account of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, Human Rights Act 1998, case law and the Council’s Policy.

Members reminded themselves that each case is taken on its merit, any economic impact of the decision is irrelevant and with public protection being the paramount importance the whole of a person’s character is relevant.

Members had to:

·  Consider the evidence presented by the licensing officers and license holder and his representative.

·  Had to determine the issue

·  Had to take any suitable action

The Members noted that the license holder was previously licensed by Wansdyke DC and has been licensed by B&NES Council since 1996.

Licensing Officers Report

This hearing and consideration was triggered by the revocation of the license holders Private Hire Operators License. 

The Licensing Officer gave his report and referred to previous concerns.

Following an incident on 30 November 2015 that the license holder drove dangerously, followed another vehicle and was aggressive to the driver, the license holder was given a warning, but was not formally interviewed.

In January 2020 the LSC considered an issue where the license holder failed on three occasions to produce an MOT certificate within the required timescales.  The license holder was given a final warning.

On 7 October 2021 the LSC considered whether the license holder’s Private Hire Operators License should be revoked and determined that it should be revoked.

Licensee’s Representations

The License holder was represented by counsel who handed up references from cab drivers, members of the public and councillors who use his services as a cab driver. 

The license holder considered he was the victim in 2015 and was never formally interviewed before the warning was issued.  The issue about MOT certificates was in 2020 and was dealt with by the LSC.

The issue considered by the LSC on 7 October related to the license holder’s suitability to hold an operator’s license, that is very different from suitability to be a driver.  There are no complaints from the public or customers, which bring into question his suitability to hold a driver’s license.

Bath and North East Somerset Council Licensing Sub-Committee decision:

Not heard anything to warrant a view that the license holder is not a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s License.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

The members of the Sub-Committee agreed to return the meeting to a public session.

This report invites the Licensing Sub-Committee to consider whether or not a vehicle that is non-compliant with the Clear Air Zone (CAZ) implemented by the Council in March 2021 is suitable to be licensed as a private hire vehicle.

The Lead Officer - Licensing presented the report to the Sub-Committee. He explained that the report invited the Members to consider whether or not a vehicle that is non-compliant with the Clear Air Zone (CAZ) implemented by the Council in March 2021 is suitable to be licensed as a private hire vehicle.

Decision and Reasons

Members have had to determine an application for a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence for two vehicles. In doing so they took account of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, Human Rights Act 1998, the Council’s Policy and the applicant’s oral representations. Members considered that they did not need to inspect the applicant’s vehicles, which had been made available. 

The current Bath and North East Somerset Council Public Hire Vehicle Policy was introduced on 18 December 2018 following widespread full consultation, including with the private hire trade.  The policy was further amended in 2020.

The policy conditions state:

“During the life of this policy one or more Clean Air Zones may be introduced. A Clean Air Zone will impose charges on all vehicles driving within it which do not meet specified emission standards. All vehicles licensed by the Council must be (as a minimum) compliant with the terms of the Clean Air Zone and meet with its emission standards, unless they are eligible for exemptions as detailed in the CAZ scheme.”

During 2019 when it was known that a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) would be introduced, licensees were reminded by letter of the policy and the requirement for licensed vehicles to be CAZ compliant to be re-licensed.

In the September / October 2019 annual re-licensing all Private Hire proprietors who applied to renew their licence were required to sign a set of licensing conditions stating that they understood and accepted the attached conditions of licence. All vehicle proprietors that renewed were also provided with a copy of the conditions for their reference.  The applicant signed a copy of the conditions on 28 October 2019.

Public consultation was held about the CAZ and specific events held for the PHV trade, including information about the financial assistance scheme (FAS) available to upgrade vehicles.

The Council has adopted an exemption to the policy, which provides that all vehicles licensed by the Council must be (as a minimum) compliant with the terms of the CAZ and meet with its emission standards, unless they are eligible for exemptions as detailed in the CAZ scheme, i.e. that they are adapted for wheelchair use or are going through the Financial Assistance Scheme.

All licenses expire annually on 31 October.  Applications for renewal can be made from 1 September.

On 30 October 2021 the applicant applied to renew his licenses for:

•  Fiat Scudo 144,002 miles on the clock with a non-compliant diesel engine, that does not meet the Euro 6 standard.

•  Mercedes E250 201,978 miles on the clock with a non-compliant diesel engine, that does not meet the Euro 6 standard.

The vehicles have not been granted an exemption from CAZ.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

This report invites the Licensing Sub-Committee to consider whether or not a vehicle that is non-compliant with the Clear Air Zone (CAZ) implemented by the Council in March 2021 is suitable to be licensed as a private hire vehicle.

The Lead Officer - Licensing presented the report to the Sub-Committee. He explained that the report invited the Members to consider whether or not a vehicle that is non-compliant with the Clear Air Zone (CAZ) implemented by the Council in March 2021 is suitable to be licensed as a private hire vehicle.

Decision and Reasons

Members have had to determine an application for a Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence for two vehicles. In doing so they took account of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, Human Rights Act 1998, the Council’s Policy and the applicant’s oral representations. Members considered that they did not need to inspect the applicant’s vehicles, which had been made available. 

The current Bath and North East Somerset Council Public Hire Vehicle Policy was introduced on 18 December 2018 following widespread full consultation, including with the private hire trade.  The policy was further amended in 2020.

The policy conditions state:

“During the life of this policy one or more Clean Air Zones may be introduced. A Clean Air Zone will impose charges on all vehicles driving within it which do not meet specified emission standards. All vehicles licensed by the Council must be (as a minimum) compliant with the terms of the Clean Air Zone and meet with its emission standards, unless they are eligible for exemptions as detailed in the CAZ scheme.”

During 2019 when it was known that a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) would be introduced, licensees were reminded by letter of the policy and the requirement for licensed vehicles to be CAZ compliant to be re-licensed.

In the September / October 2019 annual re-licensing all Private Hire proprietors who applied to renew their licence were required to sign a set of licensing conditions stating that they understood and accepted the attached conditions of licence. All vehicle proprietors that renewed were also provided with a copy of the conditions for their reference.  The applicant signed a copy of the conditions on 28 October 2019.

Public consultation was held about the CAZ and specific events held for the PHV trade, including information about the financial assistance scheme (FAS) available to upgrade vehicles.

The Council has adopted an exemption to the policy, which provides that all vehicles licensed by the Council must be (as a minimum) compliant with the terms of the CAZ and meet with its emission standards, unless they are eligible for exemptions as detailed in the CAZ scheme, i.e. that they are adapted for wheelchair use or are going through the Financial Assistance Scheme.

All licenses expire annually on 31 October.  Applications for renewal can be made from 1 September.

On 30 October 2021 the applicant applied to renew his licenses for:

•  Fiat Scudo 144,002 miles on the clock with a non-compliant diesel engine, that does not meet the Euro 6 standard.

•  Mercedes E250 201,978 miles on the clock with a non-compliant diesel engine, that does not meet the Euro 6 standard.

The vehicles have not been granted an exemption from CAZ.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.