Agenda item

To receive and consider a report outlining the proposal of a criteria policy for licensed vehicles.

The Committee received the Criteria Policy for Licensed Vehicles report which was set out in agenda pages 15-24.

Julia O’Brien, Licensing Team Manager referred to the report contained in the agenda and stated that the report reflected the recommendations that had been made at the last meeting and by the Task and Finish Group which had been set up to look at the policy.  She informed that the Task and Finish Group had included Licensing Officers, Licensing Committee Members and a representative from the trade.

During the discussion of the item the following points were made:

·           Councillor Burgess asked if there was more information available about introducing specific requirements for ramps.  Julia O’Brien informed that Laura Driscoll, former Principal Officer, Public Protection Partnership had contacted other Local Authorities and she had found that Slough Borough Council had in its policy a 20% gradient requirement for ramps, other Local Authorities did not have ramp specifications.  Julia O’Brien pointed out that the level of ramps also depended on the ground level;

·           Councillor Bowring asked what exactly was meant by ‘green cars’ on page 20 of the agenda.  Charlie Fletcher, Acting Lead Officer Policy and Governance stated that ‘green cars’ referred to cars that were generally accepted as being environmentally friendly.  He stated that the wording had been intentionally non-specific so that cases could be accessed individually.  Councillor Bowring felt that this terminology was too vague and should be more specific;

·           Councillor Bowring asked if broken windows could be replaced with non-tinted windows.  Charlie Fletcher stated that a licence was granted to the vehicle and not to the window, the expectation was that if a window was broken, that this would be replaced ‘like for like’;

·           Councillor Bowring asked if where the policy mentioned ‘disabled’ in paragraph 2.9.1, it actually meant wheelchair bound. Julia O’Brien stated that the proposal was to take out that wording in paragraph 2.9.1 and add the new wording in bold and italics at the bottom of page 23;

·           Councillor Burgess stated that that the Task and Finish Group had recommended to extend the period of time to implement changes to existing vehicles to five years.  She pointed out that, currently, only a third of vehicles in the fleet met the wheelchair accessibility criteria, and also some drivers had made a considerable investment when purchasing their vehicles.  When questioned, most Members were in favour of a five year time period;

·           Councillor Richards stated that it would be useful to include a few examples of cars that would fit the criteria, in an effort to avoid vagueness;

·           Councillor Shepherd-Dubey stated that green vehicles should be measured in relation to their carbon emissions, she stated that hybrid cars for example, were not necessary low emission when they run on petrol;

·           Julia O’Brien agreed to include this in the policy and asked for direction from the Committee;

·           Councillor Hobbs was concerned with issues that she had recently been made aware of in relation to passengers with guide/assistance dogs being refused by drivers.  Julia O’Brien stated that this was already a legal requirement, set out by central government, and she felt that it was not necessary to include it in the local policy;

·           In response to a question Julia O’Brien stated that there had not been many complaints  in the Wokingham Borough recently, however, action would be taken if an incident was reported;

·           Councillor Soane stated that the Task and Finish Group had concluded that in order to promote a greater take up of ‘green cars’, firstly it was necessary to ensure that there were sufficient charging points in the Borough;

·           Councillor Burgess stated that the Task and Finish Group’s recommendation to remove the mileage requirement and require the driver to have an independent advanced vehicle inspection had been proposed by the trade’s representative.  She felt that this option should be considered;

·           Councillor Patman was concerned that such tests would have to be carried out by a trustworthy source.  Julia O’Brien stated that a company such as the RAC would be acceptable.  Members were in favour to introduce the checks as per suggestion on page 23 of the agenda.

Upon being put to the vote most Members agreed to the proposals and amendments contained in the report.

RESOLVED That:

1)     The Licensing and Appeals Committee agrees to the proposed amendments to the Criteria Policy for Licensing of Vehicles as outlined at Annex A of the agenda;

2)     The new requirements would come into effect immediately for any new vehicles, and within a period of five years for existing vehicle licences;

3)     The mileage requirement be replaced with a requirement to the driver to have an independent advanced vehicle inspection (such as that carried out by the RAC) with the cost to come borne by the vehicle proprietor.