The Regulatory Committee convened to discuss two applications for private hire vehicle licences that fell outside the council's policy guidelines. Both applications were from Mr David Lamb of Relyon, and both were seeking exemptions to the rules regarding vehicle age and door configuration. After considering the details of each case, the committee decided to grant the licence for the Vauxhall Movano, but deferred a decision on the Ford Transit pending further inspection.

Private Hire Vehicle Licence Application for Vauxhall Movano - FP18 LCY

The committee approved the application for a private hire vehicle licence for Mr David Lamb's Vauxhall Movano FP18 LCY, despite it having only three side opening doors, which does not comply with the council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2022 – 2027.

The vehicle, which has eight passenger seats, is used by Relyon for a shuttle service from their yard in Poulton Close, Dover to the docks, train station, and Eurotunnel.

The Licensing Manager's report noted that the vehicle has three side opening doors, whereas the council's policy states that:

7.1 The vehicle shall have a minimum of 4 side opening doors which are easily accessible to passengers without the need to move or adjust any seats etc, to gain access to them.

However, the report also noted that:

Whilst this vehicle only has three side opening doors, the door is accessible to all passengers in the rear of the vehicle without the need to move or adjust any seats, etc to gain access to them.

Relyon had written to the council explaining that the vehicle is not used for normal private hire use, and that both rows of seats are able to disembark from the door without moving any seats.

The committee agreed to grant the licence, noting the exceptional circumstances of the vehicle's usage.

Private Hire Vehicle Licence Application for Ford Transit - SJ64 XLK

The committee deferred a decision on the application for a private hire vehicle licence for Mr David Lamb's Ford Transit SJ64 XLK, pending further inspection.

The vehicle, which has eight passenger seats, is used by Relyon for a shuttle service from their yard in Poulton Close, Dover to the docks, train station, and Eurotunnel.

The Licensing Manager's report noted that the vehicle was first registered on 1 September 2014, making it 10 years and 11 months old, and therefore outside the council's vehicle age policy. The report also noted that the vehicle has three side opening doors, whereas the council's policy states that:

7.1 The vehicle shall have a minimum of 4 side opening doors which are easily accessible to passengers without the need to move or adjust any seats etc, to gain access to them.

Relyon had written to the council explaining that the vehicle is not used for normal private hire use, and that both rows of seats are able to disembark from the door without moving any seats. Appendix E - Email from Relyon states:

We only use the two smaller minibuses in the Dover Area. They are only used to transport our car parking customers to & from Relyon / Ports in Dover. Or we use them to transport Ferry Crew member from inside the Ports of Dover to Port Reception / Channel House etc.

The committee resolved to defer the decision pending further inspection of the vehicle, and requested that the Licensing Enforcement Officer provide a further report.