North Yorkshire Council

General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee

12 February 2025

Application for the renewal of a Private Hire Vehicle Licence – PHV 022E

Report of the Corporate Director – Environment

1.0       PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1       To consider an application for a private hire vehicle licence that does not comply with the standard criteria as stated in the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy (“the Policy”). Such vehicles may be licensed at the discretion of the General Licensing and Registration Sub Committee.

2.0       BACKGROUND

2.1       An application for the renewal of a private hire vehicle licence has been received. The application form is attached at Appendix A.

2.2       As the vehicle is over 10 years of age it does not comply with the vehicle age criteria outlined in the Policy which requires vehicles to be less than 10 years old from the date of first registration. The vehicle was first licensed as a private hire vehicle on 06 February 2016, and the current licence expires on 06 February 2025.

2.3       Details of the vehicle are as follows:

Make: -VAUXHALL

Model: -ZAFIRA DESIGN

Colour: -RED

First Registration: -29/07/2014

Mileage: -81,357 (as of 26 November 2024)

Fuel Type: -DIESEL

Transmission: -MANUAL

Engine Size:-1686 cc

Co2 Emission: -134 g/km

Ved Co2 Band: -E

2.4       As part of the application process, Officers can confirm that the vehicle passed an MOT test on 26 November 2024 with no failures; however, five advisories were identified.

2.5       The vehicle also underwent the Council’s vehicle inspection on 13 January 2025 where a defect was found with the vehicle's front suspension. The vehicle was retested on 14 January 2025 following repair work and passed the Council’s inspection. The MOT test history and vehicle inspection checklist are attached in Appendix B.

2.6       An email in support of the application has also been received from the applicant and this is attached at Appendix C.

2.7       Members are encouraged to view the vehicle prior to making their decision.

3.0       ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

3.1       All of the Sub-Committee’s options are outlined in paragraph 10.0. No alternative options are available.

4.0       FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

4.1       No financial implications have been identified.

5.0       LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

5.1       The Licensing Authority must determine an application for the grant of a private vehicle licence in accordance with relevant legislation and the Council’s Policy. The Licensing Authority would leave itself open to appeal at the Magistrate’s Court or judicial review should it not comply with all legal requirements.

6.0       EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS

6.1       No equalities implications have been identified.

7.0       CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS

7.1       No climate change implications have been identified.

8.0       POLICY IMPLICATIONS

8.1       In carrying out its licensing functions, the General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee should have regard to the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

8.2       Paragraph 8 of the Policy sets out the licensing authority’s objectives which are:

· to encourage the provision of high quality and accessible hackney carriage and private hire services;

· to ensure the safety and comfort of users of hackney carriage and private hire services;

· to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the public affected by the operation of hackney carriage and private hire services; and

· to facilitate access to an efficient and effective public transport service.

8.3       Paragraph 15 of the Policy confirms the policy will be applied in the majority of cases when considering licence applications, but the licensing authority will consider each application on its individual merits and may, at times, allow exceptions to the general policy.

8.4       Paragraph 16 of the Policy confirms it will be necessary to consider, in relation to any particular application, whether the specific circumstances justify allowing an exception.

8.5       Paragraph 17 of the Policy confirms it will be up to the applicant to show that an exception should be made to the policy, and if the objectives can still be met, the licensing authority may exercise its discretion to depart from the general policy. Where exceptions are made, reasons will be given.

8.6       Paragraph 172 of the Policy outlines the private hire vehicle specification which requires vehicles to be less than 10 years old (the age of the vehicle shall be taken from the date of first registration shown on the vehicle registration document, V5C). It goes on to state that the policy with regards to vehicle specification shall be applied in the majority of cases when considering licensing applications, but the licensing authority will consider each application on its individual merits and may, at times, allow exceptions to this policy. Where exceptions are made in this regard, vehicles shall be subject to three mechanical inspections each year.

9.0       REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

9.1       The vehicle does not comply with the standard criteria as stated in the Policy; therefore, the determination of the application rests with the Sub-Committee.

10.0	RECOMMENDATION(S)
	i. to grant the application. ii. to grant the application including additional conditions; or iii. to reject the application.

APPENDICES:

Appendix A – Application.

Appendix B – Vehicle testing history and vehicle registration document.

Appendix C – Applicant’s email in support of the application.

BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:

North Yorkshire Council’s Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy

Department for Transport’s Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing best practice guidance for licensing authorities in England (Updated 17 November 2023)

Karl Battersby

Corporate Director – Environment

County Hall

Northallerton

29 January 2025

Report Author – John Wardell, Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer (East)

Presenter of Report – John Wardell, Senior Licensing Enforcement Officer (East)