Agenda item

To receive a report providing an update on changes to the list of garages approved by the Council to carry out for mechanical inspections of licensed vehicles.

The Committee received a report providing information relating to a revision of the Council’s list of garages approved to conduct mechanical inspections on licensed vehicles.

Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1973 licensing authorities were able to set conditions and regulations relating to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles on the grounds of public safety.  One of the local conditions adopted in Surrey Heath was a requirement for vehicles to undergo and pass a mechanical assessment at a garage nominated by the Council before a licence was granted.

Since 1997, the Council’s nominated inspection garage had been Motoright Ltd in Yateley.  The garage had been operated from a leasehold site and the sale of the land to a third party had necessitated the Garage’s relocation to new freehold premises in Finchampstead.  It was noted that the move had resulted in improved facilities with an additional MOT testing bay and an extra MOT Tester had been employed.

It was stressed that the garage was independent of any franchises or manufacturers and that drivers were free to use another garage of their choosing to complete any remedial work identified as being necessary. 

The Committee noted that Motoright Ltd, the Council’s nominated garage for mechanical inspections in relation to Hackney carriage and Private Hire vehicles had changed its name to Motoright Hogwood Garage Ltd and relocated to Unit F, Weller Drive, Hogwood lane Industrial estate, Finchampsted, RG40 4QZ.