Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Tom Power.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting held on Thursday 15 February 2024.

Resolved that the minutes of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee held on 15 February 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

In response to questions it was confirmed that a report on training for drivers would be brought to the Committee shortly. The Chair also confirmed that the Lead Members for Transport and Digital and the Chair of Scrutiny – Children and Families would be contacted as resolved at the last meeting.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 ).

The following declarations in respect of membership of city, town and parish councils were automatically recorded:

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

No members of the public had registered to speak.

To consider a report on the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Testing and Emergency Equipment Policy which would lead to the changes outlined in Appendices 2 to 9.  

Resolved:

1.     To adopt the hackney carriage and private hire vehicle testing and emergency equipment policy

2.    To amend the legacy policies with the changes outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

3.    That the Policy and amendments above come into effect on a date to be determined by the Licensing Manager/Specialist, prior to which licence holders will be given no less than 6 weeks notice, via email. To ensure that the implementation is co-ordinated with the nomination of test stations.

The Committee considered the report and acknowledged the need for a unified approach to vehicle testing across the County.

Members noting that their concerns, over the difficulties in booking MOTs in some areas, the cost to drivers and the need to make them aware of the new requirements would be addressed with the proposals, unanimously supported the recommendations.

Resolved:

1.     To adopt the hackney carriage and private hire vehicle testing and emergency equipment policy

2.    To amend the legacy policies with the changes outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

3.    That the Policy and amendments above come into effect on a date to be determined by the Licensing Manager/Specialist, prior to which licence holders will be given no less than 6 weeks notice, via email. To ensure that the implementation is co-ordinated with the nomination of test stations.

To note the minutes of Licensing and Regulatory Sub-Committees held since the previous Licensing and Regulatory Committee.