Agenda item

To submit to the Committee the draft Taxi / Private Hire Policy, and to seek authority for the draft policy to be circulated to key stakeholders and interested parties for consultation purposes.

The Committee had before it a draft Taxi/Private Hire Policy (at Appendix A to this report) and which sought authority for the draft policy to be circulated to key stakeholders and interested parties for consultation purpose.

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 08 March 2023 (minute 142 referred), it had authorised Officers to develop a draft comprehensive policy in relation to the licensing of Taxi and Private Hire Services in the District. The initial element of the work was to consider the Department for Transport’s best practice guide to Councils in respect of this area of licensing; the 2022 consultation draft on an updated practice guide and any amendments the Committee had suggested at the 8 March 2023 meeting. The Committee on 8 March 2023 had considered comments that had been received to an initial consultation exercise undertaken between December 2022 to February 2023.

Members heard that it had been reported to the meeting of the Committee on 8 March 2023 that a key impetus towards the development of a cohesive licensing policy in that area had been the statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards, issued by Government in July 2020. By virtue of Section 177(4) of the Policing and Crime Act 2017, licensing authorities must have regard to the standards issued by Government, and the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022.

The Committee also heard that, in referencing licensing policies for Taxi and Private Hire Services, in the statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle standards, it read:

“The Department recommends all licensing authorities make publicly available a cohesive policy document that brings together all their procedures on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing.  This should  include  but  not  be  limited  to  policies  on  convictions,  a  ‘fit  and proper’ person test, licence conditions and vehicle standards.

When formulating a taxi and private hire vehicle policy, the primary and overriding objective must be to protect the public.  The importance of ensuring that the licensing regime protects the vulnerable cannot be overestimated.  This was highlighted in the report by Dame Louise Casey CB of February 2015 on safeguarding failings.”

Members discussed and decided on the following matters:-

Vehicle Licensing

Identity and Signage – Livery - was agreed to consult on whether to introduce a corporate livery colour of green (whether sprayed on or wrapped on) with the livery to be introduced at the next replacement of the individual Hackney Carriage Vehicles.

Accessibility

It was agreed to maintain the present requirements.

Enforcement and Compliance:

It was agreed to consult on moving to a points-based enforcement system.

It was moved by Councillor Casey, seconded by Councillor Thompson and:-

RESOLVED that the draft Taxi/Private Hire Policy be circulated to the Council’s stakeholders and interested parties in respect of this area of licensing for consultation purposes, including the questions relating to livery and the introduction of a points-based enforcement system, and that the outcome of the consultation be considered at a future meeting of the Committee prior to its adoption of a finalised Taxi/Private Hire Policy.