Agenda item

Approval of consultation on amendments to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policies

Meeting of Licensing Committee, Monday 23rd March 2015 6.00 p.m. (Item 37/14)

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report which set out the results of informal consultation with Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers on possible changes to the Council’s current policies and procedures in respect of the Licensing of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) reminded Members that they had previously considered a report from the Chairman of the Bromsgrove Taxi Association which raised a number of issues and proposed a number of changes to existing policies. The decision had been taken in November 2014 by the Licensing Committee to consult informally and enable discussion by way of trade forums before bringing these proposals and a draft consultation Document back to this Committee for comment .

The 2 trade forums held in February and March 2015 had been reasonably well supported with a total of 35 drivers attending. The discussion at the forums had focussed on the suggested changes to Policy and the general responses had been summarised in Appendix 1 to the report.

Members noted that in general existing licence holders had expressed concerns in respect of the changes which would have an adverse impact upon them financially and felt that this was only to be expected.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner confirmed that the next step, if Members wished to proceed with the process, was for a formal written consultation to be undertaken on the proposed amendments to policies and procedures. All existing Licence Holders and interested groups would be consulted. Therefore a wider range of views would be presented to the Committee prior to any decisions on changes to policies.

It was reported that consultation would take place over a period of at least 12 weeks and would include further open forums as well as the written consultation. It was important that any changes proposed were fully supported by evidence gathered at the consultation stage in case of any future challenge.

It was recognised that the Deregulation Bill which was going through Parliament contained 2 clauses relating to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing but it was not felt that the proposals being considered by this Council would be materially affected by Clauses in the Deregulation Bill.

It was felt would be useful to the public to explain more fully within the documentation the meaning of the term “grandfather rights” and officers undertook to clarify this as appropriate.

there was discussion on the importance of ensuring proper provision was made to enable people with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs, to use Hackney Carriages, Members acknowledged this was likely to be a significant issue within the consultation process;

The Senior Licensing Practitioner stressed the importance of involving all relevant parties in the consultation process and requested Members to notify himself of any suggested bodies and organisations whom members felt should be involved. This would help to ensure there was a sound evidence base to support any changes to the policies which were eventually proposed. It was likely that a report on the outcome of the consultations would be submitted to The Committee in September 2015.

RESOLVED that Worcester Regulatory Services be requested to undertake formal consultation on the proposed changes to the Council’s existing policies and procedures relating to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing , set out in the draft consultation document attached as Appendix 2 to the report.

Supporting documents: