Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillors K E Marsh and

T H Rees.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interest was declared:

Councillor P Lloyd – Personal – Minute nos. 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 – Applicants known to me.  Councillor P Lloyd left prior consideration of these items.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the:

1.     Special General Licensing Committee held on 20 June, 2014; and

2.     General Licensing Committee held on 27 June, 2014.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Special General Licensing Committee held on 20 June, 2014 and the General Licensing Committee held on 27 June, 2014 be approved as a correct record.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing and Food Safety advised that Mr P Eglitis had withdrawn his application. 

Members inspected the vehicle.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing and Food Safety advised that an application for a restricted private hire vehicle licence had been received from Mr L Jones.  The vehicle was a blue Ford Galaxy, Registration Mark EF52 NKU and capable of carrying 6 passengers.

Members noted the background, relevant issues in relation to Hackney Carriage vehicles, Department for Transport - Taxi and Private Hire Licensing; Best Practice Guidance; March 2010 and legislation relating to the licensing of private hire vehicles.

Members asked questions of the Officer who responded accordingly.

Members asked questions of Mr L Jones who responded accordingly.

RESOLVED that the application made by Mr L Jones for a restricted private hire vehicle licence in respect of the blue Ford Galaxy, Registration Mark EF52 NKU for the purposes of airport travel and school contracts only be APPROVED and renewed on merit.

Members inspected the vehicle.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing and Food Safety advised that an application for a restricted private hire vehicle licence had been received from Mr L Jones.  The vehicle was a blue Volvo S60, Registration Mark FG54 WYB and capable of carrying 4 passengers.

Members noted the background, relevant issues in relation to Hackney Carriage vehicles, Department for Transport - Taxi and Private Hire Licensing; Best Practice Guidance; March 2010 and legislation relating to the licensing of private hire vehicles.

RESOLVED that the application made by Mr L Jones for a restricted private hire vehicle licence in respect of the blue Volvo S60, Registration Mark FG54 WYB for the purposes of airport travel and school contracts only be APPROVED and renewed on merit. 

Members inspected the vehicle.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing and Food Safety advised that an application for a restricted private hire vehicle licence had been received from Mr L Jones.  The vehicle was a green Volvo V70, Registration Mark H8 FMJ and capable of carrying 4 passengers.

Members noted the background, relevant issues in relation to Hackney Carriage vehicles, Department for Transport - Taxi and Private Hire Licensing; Best Practice Guidance; March 2010 and legislation relating to the licensing of private hire vehicles.

RESOLVED that the application made by Mr L Jones for a restricted private hire vehicle licence in respect of the green Volvo V70, Registration Mark H8 FMJ or the purposes of airport travel and school contracts only be APPROVED and renewed on merit.

Members inspected the vehicle.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing and Food Safety advised that an application for a restricted private hire vehicle licence had been received from Mr L Jones.  The vehicle was a black Ford Galaxy, Registration Mark PE03 JUT and capable of carrying 6 passengers.

Members noted the background, relevant issues in relation to Hackney Carriage vehicles, Department for Transport - Taxi and Private Hire Licensing; Best Practice Guidance; March 2010 and legislation relating to the licensing of private hire vehicles.

RESOLVED that the application made by Mr L Jones for a restricted private hire vehicle licence in respect of the green black Ford Galaxy, Registration Mark PE03 JUT or the purposes of airport travel and school contracts only be APPROVED and renewed on merit.

Members inspected the vehicle.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing and Food Safety advised that an application for a restricted private hire vehicle licence had been received from Mr L Jones.  The vehicle was a black Ford Galaxy, Registration Mark RE02 OBS and capable of carrying 6 passengers.

Members noted the background, relevant issues in relation to Hackney Carriage vehicles, Department for Transport - Taxi and Private Hire Licensing; Best Practice Guidance; March 2010 and legislation relating to the licensing of private hire vehicles.

RESOLVED that the application made by Mr L Jones for a restricted private hire vehicle licence in respect of the black Ford Galaxy, Registration Mark RE02 OBS or the purposes of airport travel and school contracts only be APPROVED and renewed on merit. 

The Divisional Officer, Licensing and Food Safety presented a report which sought Member approval in respect of authorising licensing officers to grant hackney carriage and private hire vehicles including restricted private hire vehicles a licence where manufactured without provision for a spare wheel.

Members’ noted the background, current position and proposal.

RESOLVED that matter be deferred to a future meeting of the General Licensing Committee pending further technical information. 

RESOLVED that the result of Appeals be NOTED.

The Committee were requested to exclude the public from the meeting during consideration of the item of business identified in the recommendations to the report on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as set out in the exclusion paragraph of 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007 relevant to the items of business as set out in the report.

The Committee considered the Public Interest Test in deciding to exclude the public from the meeting for the items of business where the Public Interest Test was relevant as set out in the report.

It was RESOLVED that the public be excluded for the following item on the agenda.

The Divisional Officer, Licensing and Food Safety detailed the background details in respect of VVB.

VVB outlined the background details and circumstances relating to the offences and answered Members’ questions. 

Members’ asked questions of VVB who responded accordingly.

RESOLVED that VVB’s application for the grant of a restricted hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence be APPROVED and a strong warning letter be issued regarding future conduct.