Issue - meetings

The report and appendices for this item can be found on pages 55-124 of the Cabinet agenda for 6 July 2021. In addition the separate Cabinet supplement detailed an update.

The Cabinet made the following recommendation to Council:

That the revised proposed Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021 at Appendix C be approved subject to any amendments by the General Licensing Committee or Cabinet.

Cllr Briscoe proposed the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Taylor. He then introduced the item.

In a vote the following resolution was carried:

RESOLVED

That the revised proposed Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021 at Appendix C be approved.

The Cabinet is requested to consider the report and its appendices make the following recommendation to Council:

That the revised proposed Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021 at Appendix C be approved, subject to any further amendments made by the General Licensing Committee and/or Cabinet.

*RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That the revised proposed Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021 at Appendix C be approved subject to any amendments by the General Licensing Committee or Cabinet.

Cllr Sutton introduced the item.

Cllr Lintill requested clarification on why the DBS checks take place every six months compared to other organisations who check every three to five years. Mr Knowles-Ley explained that the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards, issued in July 2020, now require the Council to undertake a criminal conviction check of all licensed drivers every 6 months.  The DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Update Service is a good system that works well for the council and enables a regular update check to be carried out online without the need for the driver to come into the council building to complete any paperwork.

, Cllr Taylor requested clarification with respect to the proposed vehicle age policy.  . Mr Knowles-Ley explained that other council’s have taken a similar approach in terms of introducing a vehicle age policy.  Mr Knowles-Ley advised that a 10 year limit for new vehicles along with a protected maximum period of 5 year extension for existing licensed vehicles was believed to be proportionate and balanced.

Cllr Dignum requested detail of the impact on the number of taxis for hire. Mr Knowles-Ley explained that there are approximately 45 licensed Hackney Carriages and that these can be hailed in the street. He added that it is a requirement that all Hackney Carriages must be wheelchair accessible, however that there are presently also a number of licensed Private Hire vehicles which are wheelchair accessible, although these must be pre-booked.

Cllr Sutton wished to thank the Licensing team for their work on this update.

In a vote the following recommendation to Council was agreed:

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That the revised proposed Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021 at Appendix C be approved subject to any amendments by the General Licensing Committee or Cabinet.