Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Pauline Ross
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Apologies Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillor P.L. Thomas. The Committee was advised that Councillor M. A. Sherrey was attending as the substitute member for Councillor P. L. Thomas. |
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Declarations of Interest To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests. Minutes: No declarations of interest were received. |
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Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 14th November 2016 were submitted.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 14th November 2016 be approved as a correct record. |
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Additional documents:
Minutes: At the Council meeting held on 23rd November 2016, a Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor C. M. McDonald as follows:-
“That this Council takes positive action in adopting a policy that ensures all new Hackney Cabs will be wheelchair accessible vehicles”.
A substantive motion was declared carried in the following terms:-
“That the Council reviews it policy for wheelchair accessible vehicles in light of the Licensing Committee’s deliberations, the meeting of the Committee to be held within 8 weeks and 3 days”.
Following on from the Council meeting, an additional meeting of the Licensing Committee was arranged in order for Members to consider the substantive motion as carried.
The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS, presented the report and in doing so reminded Members that two consultations had previously taken place; one in March 2015 and one during January to April 2016.
Members were informed that currently 124 vehicles were licensed in the district to be used as hackney carriages, seven of which were wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV’s). ‘Wheelchair accessible vehicles’ referred to a vehicle that was constructed or adapted to carry a wheelchair user whilst they remained seated in their wheelchair.
During previous Licensing Committee meetings Members had expressed their concern with regard to the low number of wheelchair accessible hackney carriage vehicles currently licensed in the district.
The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS, reminded Members that the second comprehensive consultation was conducted in order to ascertain if there was a demand for WAVs, if that demand was being met, or if there was a perception that demand was not being met. The consultation also took into account visitors accessing Bromsgrove via the new railway station.
The Senior Licensing Practitioner, WRS then drew Member’s attention to Appendix 1 to the report, which included the second consultation document and the responses received. Only seven responses were returned from the relevant organisations consulted with. The replies received from the taxi trade suggested that there was little demand for WAV’s in the district. The consultation document was sent to all licensed drivers, with advice sought from the Council’s Policy Manager as to the relevant organisations / agencies to consult with. The consultation document was also made available on the Council’s website and advertised in the local press.
Members agreed that they were disappointed with the low number of responses received.
Councillor S.P. Shannon reiterated the issues he had raised at previous meetings; with regard to the improved facilities for wheelchair users now provided at the new railway station. He felt that there was some resistance to supply a suitable taxi service. There had been a rather slow change in getting buses adapted, but this had now been achieved and had made it easier for wheelchair users to access the bus services provided. With the facilities that were now available at the new railway station there could be a potential increase in wheelchair users visiting Bromsgrove, which would potentially see an increased need for WAV’s in the district.
In response to questions from Members, ... view the full minutes text for item 21/16 |