Issue - meetings

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report in respect of expressions of interest from an MOT testing station to provide taxi vehicle condition certificate testing facilities.

Members were advised that an expression of interest had been received from an MOT testing station that wished to provide vehicle condition certificate testing to drivers and operators in Bishop’s Stortford.

The Interim Licensing Manager stressed that approving this application should be conditional on an existing garage surrendering its approved status, thereby keeping the number of approved testers at 10.  Members were reminded that applications from operators outside of East Herts had previously only been approved where such facilities were not reasonably available elsewhere within the District.

In response to a query from Councillor N Poulton, the Interim Licensing Manager stated that Smithers Garages, 50 London Road, Bishop’s Stortford would be prepared to surrender its approved status should this application be approved, on the grounds that there was not a significant taxi clientele in that area.

In response to a query from Councillor K Crofton, Members were advised that Officers regularly visited the approved garages to ensure standards were being maintained.  In response to a comment from Councillor E Buckmaster, the Interim Licensing Manager confirmed that the existing garage in Bishop’s Stortford and the new garage had been in discussions regarding the current situation.

The Committee agreed that the inclusion of an additional taxi vehicle condition garage be refused on the basis that the number of approved testers in East Herts remained at 10.

RESOLVED – that the inclusion of an additional taxi vehicle condition garage be refused for the reason now detailed.