Issue - meetings

The Report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

The Environmental Health Manager presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods which asked the Committee to consider the Council’s reviewed and updated taxi licensing policy. It was explained that since the existing policy was approved by Council in 2017 and that the proposed revised policy had been updated to reflect the Council’s current and future priorities and changes in the legislative landscape in relation to protecting people from harm, promoting health and managing the environment.

It was noted that the key changes to the Council’s taxi licensing policy included:

·         Changes to the technical requirements relating to licensed taxis including the provision of spare wheels, alternative fuel vehicles (ULEV), signage, general vehicle condition and emissions. In addition, new vehicle applications will only be permitted if the vehicle is registered after 2011.

·         Inclusion of a Statement on a Section 167 taxi list in accordance with Equality Act 2010 which requires local authorities to publish lists of vehicles which are able to carry disabled passengers and assistance dogs. This also places a legal duty on the driver of these vehicles to carry disabled passengers and where necessary an assistance dog without additional charge.

·         Process changes for new driver applications which is a service efficiency improvement and requires applicants to pre-register.

Members of the committee asked several specific questions regarding the reviewed policy and made various comparisons to Nottingham City Council who had recently introduced the opportunity for taxi drivers to use electric vehicles. The senior licensing officer explained that Rushcliffe Borough Council did not have the resources or infrastructure to introduce this. It was also questioned if taxi drivers were consulted on the revised policy. The Environmental Health Manager noted that taxi drivers were consulted and only raised concerns that new vehicle applications would only be permitted if the vehicle was registered after January 2011.

It was suggested that a progress report be brought back to the Licensing Committee in twelve months’ time in order for wider national changes to be incorporated and for the Council to develop a plan for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles to be more environmentally friendly.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    The policy be approved and recommended to Council for adoption in March 2020.

b)    A progress report be brought back to the Licensing Committee in 12 months’ time. 

Councillor Jen Walker declared an interest in the following item and left the meeting at this point.