AGENDA ITEM NO 4 REPORT TO ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSING COMMITTEE

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WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL


AGENDA ITEM NO 4 REPORT TO ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSING COMMITTEE


AGENDA ITEM NO. 4



AGENDA ITEM NO 4 REPORT TO ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSING COMMITTEE

REPORT TO: Environmental Licensing Committee


REPORT NO: CHPPO/37/08


DATE: 14 April 2008


REPORTING OFFICER: Chief Housing and Public Protection Officer

CONTACT OFFICER: Mr Graham Williams (Tel: 813781)


SUBJECT: Change of Licence Conditions/Requirements


WARD: N/A



PURPOSE OF THE REPORT


To update conditions and requirements of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licences.


INFORMATION


1 Section 48 and 55 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1976 is the provision which authorises Local Authorities to issue Licences for Private Hire Vehicles (48) and Private Hire Operators (55) and to apply conditions as appropriate.


2 Section 47(1) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1976 allows Local Authorities to attach conditions to the licence of a Hackney Carriage as considered reasonably necessary.


3 A copy of the Wrexham County Borough Council Licences for Private Hire Vehicles and Vehicle Requirements (Appendix A), Private Hire Operators (Appendix B), Hackney Carriage Vehicle Requirements (Appendix C) are attached.


4 The Committee will note each licence has conditions attached as appropriate at the time of authorisation.


5 It is requested the following conditions be added/updated in line with up to date technology and manufacturing.


Private Hire Vehicle Requirements


Requirement 1 (a) - The vehicle must have four wheels and a minimum of four doors.


Change to:


The vehicle must have four wheels and a minimum of four doors. The doors must consist of two doors on both near and off side of the vehicle and does not include hatchback/boot doors. The requirement for a minimum of four doors does not apply to a purpose built minibus with a gangway.


Purpose – Certain people carrier type vehicles do not have side doors on both off and nearside and are not considered suitable for private hire use.


Requirement 1 (b) – The vehicle must be equipped with a spare wheel and sufficient tools and equipment to enable the spare wheel to be fitted in the event of damage or puncture to a wheel.


Change to:


The vehicle must be equipped with a spare wheel and sufficient tools and equipment to enable the spare wheel to be fitted in the event of damage or puncture. Where the manufacturer does not supply a spare wheel the vehicle must be supplied with Run Flat Tyre/Foam Aerosol.


Purpose – To accommodate current manufacture of emergency wheel/type repairs.


Requirement 7 – The vehicle must be capable of carrying at least four passengers in addition to the driver and not more than eight passengers. The minimum acceptable width of seat section per person is 410 millimetres at the widest point of the seat. Limousines to have a minimum seating capacity of six and a maximum of eight.


Change to:


The vehicle must be capable of carrying at least four passengers in addition to the driver and not more than eight passengers. The rear seating must be as manufactured and have appropriate seat belts per person. The minimum acceptable width of seat section per person is 410 millimetres at the widest point of the seat which can include unequal seated sections. Limousines to have a minimum seating capacity of six and a maximum of eight.


Purpose – To provide clarity to what constitutes satisfactory seating capacity which takes into account the seat divide.


Additional Requirement – LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) Conversion must be accompanied by LPG Conversion Certificates provided by a suitably qualified engineer.


Purpose – To maintain high standards of safety.


Private Hire Operator’s Licences


Additional Conditions


a) The name on the Operator’s Licence must be the same as the business name at the time of application. The Operator will not operate under any other name that is not on the Operator’s Licence.


b) Condition 1B(b) to read – by means of a computerised record system approved by the Chief Housing and Public Protection Department. A printed copy of the record must be available at the time of request to an authorised officer or constable.


Purpose-


a) To ensure name on licence is the same as on business premises, clearly identifying the operator


b) To ensure printed access to records cannot be refused.


Hackney Carriage Licences


Requirement 9 – The seats in the vehicle must be properly cushioned or covered and the vehicle must be comfortable.


Change to:


The seats in the vehicle must be properly cushioned or covered and free from damage.


Purpose – To ensure damage free.


Requirement 12 (i) - The vehicle must be fitted with an efficient dry powder variety fire extinguisher of minimum weight of two kilos to be securely fixed in the boot of the vehicle.


Requirement 12 (ii) – Each extinguisher to be regularly serviced by a competent person to ensure that gauge reads serviceable at all times.


Change to:


12 i) The vehicle must be fitted with an efficient dry powder variety fire extinguisher of a minimum weight of 1KG. The extinguisher shall be securely fixed in a position so as not to interfere with the control of the vehicle and so as not to be tampered with by a member of the public.


12 ii) The Fire Extinguisher must be regularly serviced by a competent person to ensure the gauge reads serviceable at all times.”


Purpose – To comply with recommended guidelines.


Requirement 13- The vehicle must be equipped with a first-aid box.


Change to:


The vehicle must be equipped with a first aid box containing:

i) six individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (plasters)

ii) one large sterile unmedicated dressing

iiii) two triangular bandages

iv) two safety pins

v) individually wrapped moist cleaning wipes


shall be carried in the vehicle at all times securely fixed in the boot of the vehicle for use in case of emergency. There shall be no obligation on the Drivers to administer first aid treatment.


Purpose - To clarify requirements.


15 b Additional Requirement - Taximeters must display appropriate “CE” or “M” marks and has provision to accommodate the Wrexham County Borough Council Approval Seal.


Purpose – To ensure all meters meet the requirements of European Conformity.


6 A letter of consultation (Appendix D) was sent to all Operators (50) and Hackney Carriage Licence Holders (43). One response was received relating to Hackney Metres (Appendix E).


RECOMMENDATIONS


The Committee’s instructions are requested.


BACKGROUND PAPERS


None.


WEBSITE INFORMATION


None.


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