Agenda and decisions

Venue: Council Chamber - Town Hall, Huddersfield. View directions

Contact: Carol Tague  Email: carol.tague@kirklees.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Membership of the Committee

This is where Councillors who are attending as substitutes will say for whom they are attending.

Decision:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hussain, Iredale, Kaushik and Watson.

 

2.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 128 KB

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13 March 2019 and 22 May 2019.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 13 March and 22 May 2019 were approved as a correct record.

 

3.

Interests pdf icon PDF 22 KB

The Councillors will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have disclosable pecuniary interests, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items, or any other interests.

Decision:

No interests were declared.

 

4.

Admission of the Public

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

Decision:

That all agenda items be considered in public session.

 

5.

Deputations/Petitions

The Committee will receive any petitions and hear any deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also hand in a petition at the meeting but that petition should relate to something on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (2), Members of the Public should provide at least 24 hours’ notice of presenting a deputation.  

 

Decision:

No deputations or petitions were received.

 

6.

Public Question Time

The Committee will hear any questions from the general public.

Decision:

No questions were received.

 

7.

West Yorkshire Policy on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees as drivers in taxi and private hire licensing pdf icon PDF 262 KB

A report seeking approval, following consultation, for Members to adopt the West Yorkshire policy on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees as drivers in taxi and private hire licensing.

 

Officers: Russell Williams, Group Leader – Licensing, 01484 221000, russell.williams@kirklees.gov.uk and Samantha Lawton, Operations Manager – Public Protection (Licensing), 01484 221000, samantha.lawton@kirklees.gov.uk

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee:-

 

1.    Approved the adoption of the policy on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees as drivers in taxi and private hire licensing, as presented at Appendix A of the report, and that this new policy be effective from the 1 August 2019.

 

2.    Authorised the Group Leader of Licensing, in conjunction with their immediate Operational Manager and Head of Service for Public Protection, to make any minor changes necessary to the policy, to remain commensurate with the outcomes of the other West Yorkshire and York Authorities. 

 

8.

West Yorkshire Driver Training Policy pdf icon PDF 261 KB

A report seeking approval, following consultation, for Members to adopt the West Yorkshire (and York) driver training policy. 

 

Officers: Russell Williams, Group Leader – Licensing, 01484 221000, russell.williams@kirklees.gov.uk and Samantha Lawton, Operations Manager – Public Protection (Licensing), 01484 221000, samantha.lawton@kirklees.gov.uk

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee approved the adoption of the policy on driver training, as presented at Appendix A of the report and that this new policy be adopted from the 1st August 2019.

 

9.

Vehicle Age Policy - Upper Age Limit pdf icon PDF 326 KB

A report to inform Members of the result of the review of the Council’s private hire and hackney carriage upper age limit policy, and seek approval for one of the recommendations.

 

Officers: Russell Williams, Group Leader – Licensing, 01484 221000, russell.williams@kirklees.gov.uk and Samantha Lawton, Operations Manager – Public Protection (Licensing), 01484 221000, samantha.lawton@kirklees.gov.uk

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Committee approved that:-

 

1.    The upper age limit for licensed vehicles be increased to 12 years for the following:-

1.1.Ultra-low emission vehicles; and

1.2.wheelchair accessible vehicles

2.    The aforementioned upper age extension for ultra-low emission and wheelchair accessible vehicles was not automatic and each case would be dealt with on its own individual merits, taking in to consideration, but not limited to, the following:-

 

2.1.Submission of a formal application (including fee);

2.2.If extension was granted, the vehicle would be subject to two compliance tests per licence year;

2.3.The vehicle had to have a full service history;

2.4.Receipts of work / repairs undertaken on the vehicle;

2.5.The vehicle / drivers history with the Licensing Service, including:-

2.5.1.   If the vehicle had failed any previous compliance test;

2.5.2.   Complaints about the condition of the vehicle;

2.5.3.   Complaints about the proprietor / driver of the vehicle; or

2.5.4.   Any other matters considered material to the application.

 

3.    Delegation be authorised to the Group Leader of Licensing, in conjunction with their immediate Operational Manager, to determine the definition of a wheelchair accessible vehicle for stipulation within the Policy.