Issue - meetings

1.  That the amendments as highlighted yellow in Appendix 1 of report CAB3272 be approved, and;

2.  That the Statement of Licensing Policy with respect to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles, Drivers and Private Hire Operators (as amended) be approved and adopted as set out in Appendix 1 of report CAB3272.

Councillor Porter introduced the report, noting that the Policy had been produced following consultation with drivers and passengers.  It was recommended for approval by Licensing and Regulation Committee on 15 September 2020 where a number of drivers had addressed the meeting, including Mr Fairey who had also made comments in the public participation session above (minute extract contained as Appendix 2 to the report).  Following further forum meetings with drivers where the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic was raised, it was now proposed that the introduction of some sections of the Policy be delayed as detailed in the report.

The Licensing Manager acknowledged the comments made by Mr Fairey (who was also a member of the Taxi and Private Hire Forum) and emphasised that the recommendation to delay the implementation of the Policy would go some way to mitigate the impact.  However, the Council was required to balance the difficulties faced by the taxi and private hire trade against the overarching responsibility to ensure public safety and also to address the climate emergency by removing older, higher polluting vehicles.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Read and Brook addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Read

Noted that a number of drivers had made comments at the Licensing and Regulation Committee and referred Cabinet to the minutes of that meeting where a number of other matters were raised, including the disability awareness training of drivers.  Expressed concern that the Working Party established to review the Policy did not include cross party membership.

Councillor Brook

Welcomed the Policy review and the consultation undertaken with drivers.  Supported the report and the Policy as proposed.

Councillor Porter responded to comments made and thanked Councillors for their support.

Cabinet agreed the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the report.

RESOLVED:

1.            That the amendments as highlighted yellow in Appendix 1 of the report be approved, and;

2.            That the Statement of Licensing Policy with respect to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles, Drivers and Private Hire Operators (as amended) be approved and adopted as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, with effect from 1 December 2020.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report and outlined the main proposed changes to the policy, as shown in Appendix 1 to the report.  This included the proposal that all new drivers must complete and pass disability awareness training, with the same requirement on existing drivers by 31 August 2021.  She emphasised that the Council’s first consideration must always be public safety. The Committee noted that the Department of Transport introduced new statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards in July 2020 and these would be reviewed in line with the policy later in the year.

At the invitation of the Chairperson, Councillor Porter addressed the Committee in support of the proposed policy, highlighting that the working party set up to oversee the policy review had been mindful of the financial challenges facing the taxi trade, particularly during the Covid pandemic.  However, the primary consideration was the safety of the public.

Some Members expressed concern that the working party only included two members, with no representation from the opposition party.  These concerns were noted, although it was highlighted that the principle of membership had been established under a previous administration.

The Licensing Officer, Service Lead: Public Protection and Councillor Porter responded to a number of detailed questions from Committee Members on the policy as proposed.  This included explaining the rationale behind proposing a single colour (rather than “wrapping” a vehicle, as for example in London), the reason why permanent signage was proposed rather than magnetic removable signage and the proposed “end of life” maximum age for vehicles.  The rationale had considered the financial implications for the drivers but balanced against the public safety priority.  It had also had regard to the results of the public consultation, included at appendix 2 to the report and it was confirmed that in addition to the general public, taxi drivers had been given the opportunity to participate in the consultation.

The Service Lead: Public Protection emphasised that if the policy was agreed, there was a lead in period before drivers would be required to adhere to the new requirements.

With regard to safeguarding, the Service Lead and Licensing Officer confirmed that the frequency of the training was a matter for future consideration.  It was noted that new Department of Transport standards required that every driver undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) renewal check every six months. 

With regard to some queries expressed during public participation about the wording of paragraph 5.2 of the policy, the Committee considered the proposed amendment was clear in allowing disabled access vehicles to be either side or rear loading.

RECOMMENDED (TO CABINET):

That the draft Policy as amended (and set out in Appendix 1 to the report) be approved for adoption.