To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2018.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2018.

Decision

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 October 2018.

The report of the Head of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed. 

The report informed the Committee of the recent implementation of part of the Equalities Act 2010, allowing Councils to designate vehicles as being wheelchair accessible so that new protections under the Act can apply, by publishing a list of such vehicles. The report also outlined a draft Policy and procedures for consideration of exemptions to all relevant parts of the Act.

The Committee requested that it is made very clear to drivers the size of the wheelchair to be accommodated in accessible vehicles, and officers agreed that this would be appropriate. 

Decision

1.    That the Committee agrees to the provision and maintenance of a list of designated vehicles under section under 167 of the equalities act 2010.

2.    That the Committee agrees to the related Policy - with or without amendment (attached at Appendix 1 of the report)

3.    That the Committee agrees that exemption applications can be determined by a Senior Licensing Officer, with the driver having the option to either:

a.    Appeal the Officer decision to the next available Licensing and Appeals Sub-Committee (retain right of appeal to Magistrates’ Court within 28 days of Sub-Committee decision)

b.    Appeal directly to the Magistrates’ Court (within 28 days of the date of refusal)