Agenda item

The Committee considered four matters, the first was to consider amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy.

 

The request was on the following points:

 

• Age of vehicles;
• Card readers;
• Colour of purpose-built vehicles;
• Space wheel/space saver;
• Fire extinguisher; and
• Age of electric vehicles.

 

Age of Vehicles

 

The Committee considered a report which outlined a request from the Taxi Trade to review the vehicle age policy due to the cost of replacing vehicles.  There were 111 replies to the consultation; 52 replies were in favour of the change, 52 replies were not in favour of the change and 7 replies made no comment.

 

The Committee considered the report and the outcome of the consultation.

 

RESOLVED: That the Council should remove the minimum age requirement from 5 years to 7 years for a standard vehicle and maximum from 10 to 12 years and keep the minimum age of 13 years for wheelchair accessible vehicles but increase the maximum to 18, with the same testing conditions as two per year.

 

Card Readers

 

The Committee considered a report which outlined a request from one of the Private Hire Operators that this should be reviewed by the Licensing Department.  There were 111 replies to the consultation; 26 replies were in favour of the change, 80 replies were not in favour of the change and 5 replies made no comment.

 

The Committee considered the report and the outcome of the consultation.

 

RESOLVED: That the Council should not require a card reader.

 

Colour of purpose-built vehicles

 

The Committee considered a report which outlined a request from the Taxi Trade that purpose built vehicles (Fully Accessible Vehicles) for Hackney Carriage Vehicles should be any colour due to the cost of replacing them.  There were 111 replies to the consultation; 23 replies were in favour of the change, 27 replies were not in favour of the change and 61 replies made no comment.

The Committee considered the report and the outcome of the consultation.

 

RESOLVED: That the Council should maintain the current policy.

 

Spare Wheel/Space Saver

 

The Committee considered a report which outlined a request from the Taxi Trade to remove the condition for a spare wheel/space save.  The request was made due to purchasing new vehicles, manufacturers did not provide a spare wheel or space saver they now only provide the manufacturer tyre kit.  There were 111 replies to the consultation; 78 replies were in favour of the change, 18 replies were not in favour of the change and 15 replies made no comment.

 

RESOLVED: That the Council should remove the current policy requirements for a space saver/spare wheel in the vehicle (with the implications that the manufacturers specifications applies).

 

Fire Extinguishers

 

The Committee considered a report which outlined a request from the Taxi Trade to remove this condition due to not being required any longer.  There were 111 replies to the consultation; 30 replies were in favour of the change, 21 replies were not in favour of the change and 60 replies made no comment.

 

RESOLVED: That the Council should keep the requirement for a fire extinguisher in the vehicle as per current policy.

 

Age of Electric Vehicles

 

The Committee considered a report which outlined a request from the Taxi Trade to review the vehicle age policy for Electric Vehicles due to the financial cost.  There were 111 replies to the consultation; 30 replies were in favour of the change, 8 replies were not in favour of the change and 73 replies made no comment.

 

The Committee considered the report and the outcome of the consultation.

 

RESOLVED: That the Council should maintain the current policy with no difference between licensing convectional and electric vehicles.