Agenda item

JSS attended the hearing.

Carl Knights, Senior Licensing Officer, introduced this report and made the following points:

·       JSSS had made an application for renewal of a Hackney Carriage Driver licence seeking departure from Bristol City Council policy

·       The vehicle was licensed on 16^th November 2012 (not 2022 as indicated in the report)

·       The existing licence would expire on 14^th November 2022. JSS had requested an extension

·       Since the new policy requiring any new diesel vehicle to be a Euro 6 vehicle (in place since December 2018) but indicated that this licence could remain in place for 10 years, the Sub-Committee had the power to renew it for 2 days with the coming introduction of the higher Clean Air Zone restrictions

JSS addressed the Committee and made the following points:

·       He explained that, whilst he had been looking for another vehicle, this had been difficult and no vehicles were currently in stock that met the requirements to comply with the policy. He had been advised that nothing would become available until 2023

·       Whilst he had spent £700 on parts and labels, he would not be able to financially afford the required vehicle. In the meantime, he would require a new vehicle for a few months

·       He explained that there was a huge shortage of vans and they were difficult to convert. Whilst some used vehicles were available, they were in short supply and were more expensive. It was noted that black cabs of the required type would cost approximately £65,000

In response to members’ questions, JSS confirmed that he would have to find enough money to buy the required vehicle or he would not be able to continue to work.

The Legal Adviser confirmed with the Sub-Committee the various options that lay open to them:

·       That the application is allowed for one extra day in line with existing policy

·       That the application is refused

·       To treat the application as an exception to policy and grant it for between 3 to 6 months

JSS and the licensing officer withdrew to allow the Sub-Committee to make the decision, The Legal Adviser and Democratic Services Officer were in attendance.

Upon their return, Councillor Richard Eddy advised JSS of the Sub-Committee’s decision as follows:

RESOLVED (unanimously) – that the application for a renewal of a Hackney Carriage Licence departing from Bristol City Council policy be granted for a period of three months

Reasons:  JSS had satisfied the Committee that in the circumstances of his individual case an exception could be made to Council policy on this occasion without undermining it.  The Committee heard that JSS had been looking for a replacement vehicle but had been unable to find one due to the lack of availability.  As a result he had spent a considerable amount of money on his current vehicle to ensure it remained suitable to be used as an HCV.  A period of three months would therefore give him a little more time to continue with his trade whilst continuing his search for a policy compliant vehicle.  The Committee also considered the MOT history of the vehicle and noted that it had been well looked after but the expectation is that following the three months period JS would have purchased a vehicle that complied with Council policy and the Clean Air Zone.