Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

Report will be sent to follow.

A report was submitted requesting members to consider additional recommendations in relation to the age policy for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage vehicles operating in the Borough.

Following the decision of the Public Protection Committee at its meeting on 22nd September 2014 a letter had been received from representatives of the Private Hire trade requesting that, as a result of the resolution passed on 22nd September 2014, the age limit of eight years for Private Hire vehicles was also suspended pending implementation of the new Taxi Licensing Policy in March 2015. By agreeing to this recommendation parity would be maintained between Private Hire and Hackney Carriage vehicles operating in the Borough.

Members considered the proposal and were in agreement that parity needed to be maintained between the private hire and hackney carriage vehicles.

Resolved:

That, in light of the decision taken by the Committee on Monday 22nd September 2014:

a)         That any Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licences issued to vehicles over 8 years of age from 21st October 2014 will only continue to a full twelve month period if they meet any ‘exceptional circumstances’ conditions that may be contained within the final Taxi Licensing Policy.

b)         That vehicles falling into the category above will have until 31st March 2015 to meet any “exceptional condition” standards that may be contained in the final Taxi Licensing Policy.

c)         That where a vehicle fails to meet the ‘exceptional circumstances’ conditions, the licence will be deemed expired and a refund made as set out in the report.

A report was submitted requesting that the Committee consider whether to include an “exceptional conditions” age policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles in the Council’s draft Taxi Policy Document prior to it being sent out for full consultation.

The Committee were also requested to consider the amended draft Taxi Licensing Policy and recommend that it be sent out for consultation from 1^st November 2014 for 3 months.

The Committee considered the proposed ‘’exceptional circumstances’’ and was in general agreement that a blanket cut off policy was not the way forward.

Individual members stated that they would submit representations during the consultation period.

Resolved:

That the Committee

a)         Include the recommended ‘exceptional conditions’ procedure in the draft Taxi Licensing Policy.

b)         That the Draft Taxi Licensing Policy be agreed by the Committee for consultation.

c)         That the Draft Taxi Licensing Policy be sent out for consultation on 1st November 2014 for 3 months.

d)         That the results of the consultation be brought back to this Committee for consideration in February 2015.

e)         That the final Taxi Licensing Policy be agreed by this Committee at its meeting in February and that the Policy has immediate effect from the date of that meeting.

There was no urgent business.