Venue: Siambr Hywel Dda, Council Offices, Caernarfon, Gwynedd. LL55 1SH
Contact: Lowri Haf Evans 01286 679 878
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APOLOGIES To receive
any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from
Councillors Eryl Jones-Williams, Sion Jones and Peter Read A concern
was highlighted about the attendance of some Members. It was noted that the matter had been referred to the Monitoring Officer and the Democratic Services Manager. |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive
any declaration of personal interest. Minutes: No declarations
of personal interest were received from
any members present. |
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URGENT ITEMS To note any
items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for
consideration. Minutes: None to note |
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The
Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee, held
on 10 September 2018 be signed as a true record. Minutes: The Chairman signed the minutes of the meeting held on
10 September 2018, as a true
record. |
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GENERAL LICENSING SUB-COMMITTEE MINUTES PDF 76 KB To submit,
for information, minutes of the General Licensing Sub-committee meeting held on
the following date – a)
10.09.2018 b)
17.10.2018 Additional documents: Minutes: Submitted, for information, the minutes of a meeting of the General Licensing Sub-committee that took place on
10.09.2018 and 17.10.2018 |
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REVIEWING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MECHANICAL TESTS OF TAXI VEHICLES PDF 53 KB To consider
the report of the Head of Environment Minutes: A report was
submitted by the Head of the Environment Department recommending new
arrangements for testing hackney and private hire vehicles over 10 years old.
It was highlighted that it was a requirement that every hackney and private
hire vehicle had a standard MOT test annually, with an additional requirement
for two mechanical tests once the vehicles reached 10 years old. It was
emphasised that these tests were vital for ensuring the safety of taxi
vehicles. It was noted that these requirements are incorporated as licensing conditions
and had been adopted in the Council’s taxi vehicle licensing policy. The
requirements were also based on the advice in the Ministry of Transport’s good
practice guidance. It was noted, due to concerns over
controlling the standard and consistency of mechanical tests, that a number of
Councils authorised garages that served the Authority's fleet vehicles to
undertake the mechanical tests on licensed vehicles. It was added that this
would be advantageous as it would be possible to keep a tight control on the
standards and that it was also an opportunity to generate income for the
Council. In response to a question regarding
the number of mechanical tests required over the next 12 months on vehicles, it
was noted that conducting two tests on vehicles over 10 years old had been
included in the numbers contained in the report. It was added that the Council
garages were eager to participate in the arrangements, and in order to avoid
undue pressure on them, it was proposed that three other garages were
authorised as 'reserve' garages during busy periods. It was noted that initial
discussions had already taken place with the Royal Mail to use its garage in
Bangor as one of the reserve garages as the Royal Mail adhered to national
standards in relation to fleet testing. The other two garages had not yet been
identified. In response to a question about the
requirements of the second test, it was explained that it was broader than a
general MOT and that it would include, for example, the condition of the car,
signage, safety belts and first aid provision. It was noted that the check-list
was extensive. In response to a question regarding
the age threshold for the use of a car as a taxi, it was noted that 12 years
was the period, and that this was under review. In response to an observation about
monitoring the standards of the 16 garages (across Gwynedd) that had been
authorised to conduct the tests, it was noted that checks were held by a
licensing officer. All garages qualified to offer MOTs also had to comply with
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) requirements. One member was concerned that some taxi companies would deviate from the arrangements, but it was confirmed that it would continue to be mandatory for cars up to 10 years old to be tested by one of the 16 authorised garages. It was reiterated that it would be mandatory for vehicles over 10 ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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INFORM THE COMMITTEE OF THE NEXT STEPS IN RELATION TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW UNIFIED TAXI LICENSING POLICY Purpose – to
verbally inform the members of the intention to establish a Task and Finish
Group of members to consider the main aspects of the draft Unified Taxi
Licensing Policy, before public consultation – and to establish terms of
reference for the group. Minutes: A verbal update was provided, noting that the unified policy was still being developed,
with the intention of submitting a draft in March. It was intended to establish a task and finish group
to examine the main aspects
of the Unified Taxi Licensing Policy prior to the public consultation. It was also noted that
it was intended to establish
a terms of reference for the group. The
information was ACCEPTED. |