Decision details

Following consideration of this matter by Licensing Committee on 10th February 2015 (report attached) the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration approved the following amendments to the vehicle transfer policy:

• Following transfer of the licence to a widow or civil partner of the licensed proprietor upon the death of the proprietor, the Council allows 3 months for the next of kin to resolve the issues of estate with a further 6 months to attain ESOL level 3.
• A joint proprietor who is a spouse or civil partner should attain ESOL level 3 within 6 months unless circumstances as above arise, in which case the process is held in abeyance for 3 months.
• Following the transfer of a licence to any other person or a joint proprietorship taking place all parties must have attained ESOL level 3 English comprehension.
• That all costs incurred during the transition and lead-in periods are met by the proprietor and accredited translators must be used to the satisfaction of the Council.
• The Council must be satisfied that the existing named proprietor had set out in writing their intention to transfer the proprietorship of the licence to the person seeking to become the new proprietor and the Council are entitled to make reasonable enquiries to satisfy themselves of the validity of a claim to the proprietorship of a licence.

It is noted that the issue may be subject to review by Members in future.