The Regulatory Sub-Committee was scheduled to convene to address several applications for exemptions to the council's Vehicle Age Limit Policy. Each case involved Hackney Carriage Vehicle licences and requests to depart from existing policy due to vehicle age. The Sub-Committee was to consider the details of each application and determine whether to grant the exemptions, considering factors such as vehicle condition, safety, and the implications for public transport standards.

Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Applications

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to review three separate applications to depart from the Vehicle Age Limit Policy, each relating to a Hackney Carriage Vehicle licence.

Application for Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence HCV130

The Sub-Committee was to consider the application of Mr Paul Bushell of Economical Taxis Ltd, for renewal of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence HCV130, associated with a Kia Optima, registration number N19 PEB. According to the report pack, the request to renew the licence would require an exemption from the council’s existing Vehicle Age Limit Policy, as the vehicle is over five years old and is not wheelchair accessible.

The report pack notes that the licence had lapsed because Mr Bushell did not submit a renewal application before the expiry date. A letter requesting to depart from policy was submitted by Mrs Joan Bushell, a director and the secretary of Economical Taxis Ltd.

The report pack included an engineer's report from Camp Road Garage, Flookburgh, stating that the vehicle was in exceptional condition for its age.

The report pack stated that the vehicle had failed an MOT test on 28 February 2025 for a tyre tread depth below requirements, and advisories were issued for worn tyres and a nail in the tyre. However, the vehicle passed a hackney carriage inspection on 15 September 2025.

The report pack noted that the council’s licensing policy states that all new vehicle engines must be a minimum of Euro 6 standard¹. The report pack outlined options for the Sub-Committee: to refuse the application, grant the application, or grant the application with additional or amended conditions.

Application for Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence HCV318

The Sub-Committee was to consider the application of Mr Simon Hayton for the renewal of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence HCV318, for a Skoda Rapid, registration number MV18 XAO. According to the report pack, the request to renew the licence would require an exemption from the council’s existing Vehicle Age Limit Policy, as the vehicle is over five years old and is not wheelchair accessible.

The report pack stated that the licence had lapsed because a renewal application was not submitted before the expiry date, as the vehicle required a new engine.

The report pack included an engineer's report from MGD Limited, Kendal, stating that the vehicle was in exceptional condition for its age.

The report pack noted that the vehicle had failed MOT tests on two occasions, and had advisories on four tests.

The report pack noted that the council’s licensing policy states that all new vehicle engines must be a minimum of Euro 6 standard.

The report pack stated that the vehicle was presented for an MOT on 4 September 2025 and passed this test without failure or advisories.

Application for Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence HCV002

The Sub-Committee was to consider the application of Mrs Sarah and Mr Mark Ibbetson of Ibbetson Ltd, to transfer Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence HCV002 to a Peugeot Partner Tepee Outdoor, registration number RK18 LWH. According to the report pack, the request to transfer the licence would require an exemption from the council’s existing Vehicle Age Limit Policy, as the vehicle is over five years old and is not wheelchair accessible.

The report pack stated that the applicants had contacted the Licensing Authority earlier in the year seeking advice on vehicle age restrictions, and had referred to the differing standards across Westmorland and Furness. The applicants were advised that a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy was in draft which sought to address the differing standards and remove the age restrictions currently in place.

The report pack included an engineer's report from MGD LTD, Kendal, stating that the vehicle was in exceptional condition for its age.

The report pack stated that the vehicle had never failed an MOT test.

The report pack noted that the council’s licensing policy states that all new vehicle engines must be a minimum of Euro 6 standard.

The report pack included a copy of an email from Sarah Ibbetson, in which she stated that she had purchased a Euro 6 compliant vehicle to replace her existing taxi, but it could not be put on as a taxi under the current system. She also stated that she was finding this frustrating, as she was driving an elderly diesel vehicle which was now right at the end of its life, when there was a newer one sitting in the shed which she could not use, because it was considered too old.

Other Matters

The agenda also included:

• The election of a chairman for the meeting.
• The receiving of apologies for absence.
• The declaration of interests by members.
• Consideration of whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting.
• Introductions by the chairman.