Agenda item

To receive a report on the Age of Vehicle policy consultation.

The Head of Trading Standards and Licensing, introduced a report on the Age of Vehicle Policy.  The Committee had requested officers to undertake a period of consultation with the taxi trade upon proposals to introduce guidelines to define what was meant by the terms ‘ exceptional condition’ and ‘abnormally low mileage’ contained within in the Council’s Age of Vehicle Licence condition.

A vehicle would not be regarded as in ‘exceptional condition’ except where evidence had been presented to the Council that the vehicle had been regularly serviced and maintained in line with the manufacturer’s servicing schedule.

The Council would not normally regard the vehicle as having travelled an abnormally low millage in the following circumstances:

1          A vehicle intended for normal private use – a mileage in excess of 200,000 miles; or,

2          A vehicle purpose built for use as a licensed vehicle with a millage in excess of 300,00 miles; or,

3          A ‘prestige car’ with a millage in excess of 300,000 miles.

The definitions had been carefully considered by officers as they did not wish to place unnecessary burden on the trade.  

The Chairman invited John Yexley, Chairman of the Bracknell Licensed Taxi Forum, to speak to the meeting.  Mr Yexley expressed concern that the millage level was low and that a more generous allowance should be allowed for private saloon vehicles.  Mr Yexley informed the Committee that few local authorities in Southern England had a mileage policy.  Mr Yexley suggested that a sub-committee be established to look at the issue of abnormally low mileage.

The Chairman thanked Mr Yexley and asked the Committee if there were any points of clarity they may wish to ask Mr Yexley.  There was none. 

It was noted by the Committee that the Council had agreed to have an Age of Vehicle Policy, which had now been in place for a number of years.  The decision to have a policy in place was a local decision with some local authorities choosing to have a policy and some not to do so.

Arising from the subsequent discussion the Committee noted the following points:

·                     The average annual millage of a private car was 15,000 miles and the average annual millage of a hackney Carriage vehicle in Bracknell Forest was 33,000 miles a year.

·                     Keeping a clear service history for vehicles was important as well as regular MOT checks as vehicle services included safety checks which were not covered by an MOT.

·                     Concern was expressed by some members of the Committee that the millage limit for vehicles had been set at too low a level.

·                     Other provisions were in place for private hire vintage vehicles such as those used for weddings and special events. 

·                     The public perception of the safety of the vehicles being used as taxis in Bracknell Forest was important.

·                     The guidelines produced to define ‘ exceptional condition’ and ‘abnormally low mileage’ were not absolute and existed to provide officers with guidance on the process, judgements would be made on a case by case basis.

It was important that the two terms were accurately defined to provide clarity  to aspects of the Age of Vehicle Policy.  The set level of millage was a separate issue which would require a change of Council Policy.

RESOLVED

1          That the guidance set out in Annex 2 of the Director’s report be adopted to interpret the terms ‘exceptional condition’ and ‘abnormally low mileage’.

2          That the guidance come into effect on 1 May 2010.

NB:      Councillor Leake asked to be recorded as abstaining from voting.