Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Planning and Public Protection (copy enclosed) seeking members’ determination of a request from a Hackney Carriage Proprietor for approval to display emblems on his licensed vehicles.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the request to display emblems be refused;

(b)       the intended sentence relating to the policy requirement for both hackney carriage and private hire vehicles relating to paintwork to read ‘The paintwork shall be of a professional finish and be one consistent colour over the whole of the vehicle’s bodywork’, and

(c)        officers be asked to review the policy with regard to the display of signs and notices on hackney carriage vehicles.

A report by the Head of Planning and Public Protection (previously circulated) was submitted upon –

(i)            a request from a Hackney Carriage Proprietor for approval to display a large Welsh flag emblem covering the bonnet area of his licensed vehicles (computer generated images shown in Appendix A to the report);

(ii)          the Council’s existing policy and vehicle specification setting out acceptable requirements relating to paintwork, signage, advertising and livery of licensed vehicles (Appendix B to the report);

(iii)         the need to consider potential implications in granting requests to display sporting emblems and patriotic signage which may attract unwelcome attention or increase the potential for criminal behaviour, and

(iv)         highlighted the inconsistency between the policy requirement relating to the paintwork for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles and sought clarification in that regard.

The Applicant had been unable to attend the meeting and submitted apologies but asked that the request for advertising be considered in his absence.

The Licensing Officer provided a summary of the report and reasoning behind the request being referred to committee given the potential implications when granting permission for emblems of this type which may attract unwelcome attention.  Members had also been asked to consider rectifying the discrepancy between the requirements for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles in terms of paintwork.

During their deliberations members considered the size and scale of the design to be such that it was not suitable to be placed on a licensed vehicle also agreed that sporting emblems and patriotic signage of this type could incite an aggressive response and the potential for anti-social or criminal behaviour.  It was recognised that the committee had approved a similar request to display a smaller emblem at their meeting in September 2017 and had agreed to determine each request on its own merits.  However, given the growing concern amongst members regarding signage of this nature it was felt the policy should be further reviewed in that regard.

Some members also advocated uniformity between all hackney carriage vehicles and were concerned that approving any signage or other advertisements would prove contrary to that aim.  It was considered that whilst there may be merit in some advertising such as temporary advertising for specific events or charitable purposes, the selling of advertising space on licensed vehicles for general commercial purposes should be restricted and greater clarity on permissible advertisements should also be considered as part of any future review of the policy.

In terms of the inconsistency between the policy requirements for hackney carriage and private hire vehicles regarding paintwork, members agreed that the same policy should apply to both and that the requirement for hackney carriages should be brought in line with that for private hire vehicles to ensure a consistent approach.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the request to display emblems be refused;

(b)       the intended sentence relating to the policy requirement for both hackney carriage and private hire vehicles relating to paintwork to read ‘The paintwork shall be of a professional finish and be one consistent colour over the whole of the vehicle’s bodywork’, and

(b)       officers be asked to review the policy with regard to signs and notices on hackney carriage vehicles.

The reasons for the Licensing Committee’s decision were as follows –

Having considered the report and Applicant’s request members considered the size and scale of the design submitted to be such that it was not suitable to be placed on a licensed vehicle.  Members also considered that the emblem could attract unwelcome attention and an aggressive response with the potential for anti-social or criminal behaviour.  On that basis it was agreed that the request be refused.