Agenda item

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Committee received the report of the Licensing Manager to enable Members to consider a request for the waiver of the standard licence condition requiring the display of the Council’s uniform signage in connection with an application for a private hire vehicle licence received from Mr. Bharat Bhushan of Lancaster Taxis Limited.

The Licensing Manager reported that the application was in connection with the licensing of a Mercedes E Class Saloon.  The vehicle had been granted a licence, which had commenced on 29^th November 2016 and was currently subject to all of the standard licence conditions relating to signage.

The applicant had requested a waiver of the standard licence conditions requiring the display of the Council’s uniform door signage, on the grounds that the vehicle would be used to provide a chauffeur service for weddings, executive business travel, airport/ferry port transfers/VIP event services, sightseeing tours and sporting events packages.

In officers’ view, allowing a private hire vehicle to operate without signs would be a dangerous precedent, as members of the public would no longer be able to rely on licensed vehicles always displaying uniform Council signage.  The exemption would not, therefore, normally be granted unless Members could be satisfied that the vehicle was only being used for exclusive contracts.  Mr. Bhushan’s letter requesting the exemption (attached as appendix 1 to the report) did not confirm this to be the case.

The applicant had been invited to attend the meeting to make representations in support of his request, and Mr. Bhushan was present at the meeting.  Members had been able to view the Mercedes E Class Saloon prior to the meeting.

Following presentation of the Licensing Manager’s report, Mr. Bhushan was given the opportunity to question the Licensing Manager on her report.  Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to question the Licensing Manager on the report.

In determining what action to take in respect of Mr. Bhushan’s request, Members heard Mr. Bhushan’s representation.  During his representation, Mr. Bhushan of Lancaster Taxis Limited advised that he wished to operate an unmarked private hire vehicle in order to provide a high-class chauffeur service.  It was essential that the Mercedes E Class Saloon was unmarked to provide an executive look and a discrete service.  Mr. Bhushan confirmed that the Mercedes E Class Saloon did not have a radio/meter fitted, and informed Members that he did not have any contracts yet.

Following Mr. Bhushan’s representation, the Licensing Manager had the opportunity to question Mr. Bhushan.  Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to question Mr. Bhushan.

The Licensing Manager summed up by advising Members that, should they determine that the request for a waiver of the standard licence condition requiring the display of the Council’s uniform signage be granted, they would need to be satisfied that the vehicle was only being used for exclusive contracts.

It was proposed by Councillor Metcalfe and seconded by Councillor Charles:

“(1)      That Mr. Bhushan’s request for a waiver of the standard licence condition requiring the display of the Council’s uniform signage in connection with an application for a private hire vehicle licence be refused.

(2)        That Mr. Bhushan be encouraged to re-apply, once he is able to provide proof of exclusive contracts.”

Upon being put to the vote, 7 Members voted in favour of the proposition, with 1 abstention, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

(1)        That Mr. Bhushan’s request for a waiver of the standard licence condition requiring the display of the Council’s uniform signage in connection with an application for a private hire vehicle licence be refused.

(2)        That Mr. Bhushan be encouraged to re-apply, once he is able to provide proof of exclusive contracts.