Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services (copy enclosed) proposing a number of amendments to the existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Policy and Conditions for formal consultation prior to approval.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       officers be authorised to consult on the proposed amendments to the existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Policy and Conditions as detailed within the report, subject to minor adjustments proposed by the Committee, and if no objections are received, they will come into effect on 1 June 2020, and

(b)       where any objections are received, the Licensing Committee will consider those objections at their next meeting in June 2020 with a view to implementation (with or without modification) on 1 July 2020.

The Licensing Officer submitted a report (previously circulated) proposing a number of amendments to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Policy and Conditions for formal consultation and approval following its three yearly review.

In December 2016 the Licensing Committee approved the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Policy and Conditions with effect from July 2017.  Having reviewed the policy in accordance with requirements a number of amendments had been proposed to reflect both changes in operating procedures (i.e. removal of the penalty points system) and to clarity existing conditions.  It was recommended that any changes be subject to formal consultation prior to implementation.

Officers elaborated upon the proposed areas for amendment as follows –

·         Signage/Advertising/Livery (Private Hire) – stopping use of magnetic door signs

·         Plate Exemption – delegation to officers to deal with exemption applications

·         Disciplinary Action – amend and replace references to penalty point scheme

·         Penalty Points Scheme – amend and remove reference to penalty point scheme

·         Facilities for Wheelchair Users – remove “at the nearside rear passenger door”

·         Collisions – amendment to ensure procedure in place for suspended vehicles

·         Signage/Advertising/Livery (Hackney Carriage) – removal of requirement for a roof sign or meter for initial vehicle inspection/testing.

The following matters were further discussed –

·         Disciplinary Action – it was confirmed that in terms of officer delegations the procedure for suspensions and revocations specified that decisions were to be taken in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Licensing Committee together with relevant legal officers

·         Facilities for Wheelchair Users – it was explained that many new wheelchair accessible vehicles allowed for various points of access and removing the current access restriction would allow for rear access and accommodate those vehicles.  It was noted that problems may be caused on taxi ranks due to space in providing for rear access and many such vehicles displayed signage requesting sufficient distance be kept clear for that purpose

·         Collisions – Councillor Joan Butterfield was keen to ensure costs incurred by vehicle proprietors were kept to a minimum and asked for a further amendment to specify that in cases where a compliance test was required following a collision, the compliance test may be used as one of the regular compliance tests required.  To comply with that request officers agreed to amend the relevant section to read as follows “In the event of a licence being suspended due to the nature of the damage, the proprietor shall, at their own cost, have the vehicle tested under the requirements of a compliance test at DCC Fleet Management and Vehicle Maintenance Centre.  Following which, they should submit the Compliance Certificate for examination by an authorised officer prior to the licence being reinstated.  If relevant, the proprietor may elect to use this compliance test as one of the annual compliance tests required under section 2.5 / 5.5.  Proprietors should note this will introduce a new due date for the next 6 monthly compliance test”.  Councillor Brian Jones queried whether it was appropriate to require all vehicles to be tested at the Fleet Management Centre in Bodelwyddan, particularly given the distance for Llangollen proprietors.  Officers explained the reasoning behind the requirement was to ensure that those vehicles incurring significant damage and subsequent repair were properly tested to a consistent standard at an impartial centre.  It was noted that the Licensing Committee had previously agreed to consider moving to in-house compliance testing only and officers were currently reviewing that proposal which would be brought back to a future meeting of the Committee for further consideration

·         Signage/Advertising/Livery (Hackney Carriage) – members noted additional costs may be incurred by proprietors given the current requirement and to cater for both purpose built taxis and other vehicles agreed to the following amendment “New to Fleet Carriage Vehicles may be presented to DCC Fleet Management and Vehicle Maintenance Centre for initial inspection without a roof sign or meter.”

RESOLVED that –

(a)       officers be authorised to consult on the proposed amendments to the existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Policy and Conditions as detailed within the report, subject to minor adjustments proposed by the Committee, and if no objections are received, they will come into effect on 1 June 2020, and

(b)       where any objections are received, the Licensing Committee will consider those objections at their next meeting in June 2020 with a view to implementation (with or without modification) on 1 July 2020.