Issue - meetings

The report of the Director – Neighbourhoods is attached.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety, Councillor Inglis presented the report of the Director – Neighbourhoods detailing the Rushcliffe Borough Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2025-2030.

Before introducing the report, Councillor Inglis proposed that he would be making an amendment to recommendation b) to read as follows, which was seconded by Councillor Regan, who reserved the right to speak.

b)       requires a review to be undertaken in respect of potential mandating of CCTV in Taxi and Private Hire vehicles within 12 months, and the findings be reported to the Licensing Committee

Councillor Soloman arrived at 7.11pm.

Councillor Inglis confirmed that the Policy had been subject to a six-week consultation, and then considered by the Licensing Committee, which had raised additional matters relating to mandating CCTV in taxis, which he would refer to later. The Committee had agreed the Policy, which proposed some significant changes to keep it legal, incorporate Government guidance and reflect the current climate of the taxi industry. It was hoped to address the decline in Hackney capacity, increase efficiency and lower costs, whilst maintaining safety standards and encourage new drivers. Councillor Inglis advised that the full summary of the proposed changes was in Annex 2 and he highlighted the main updates as detailed in Paragraph 4.2 of the report. He thanked the Assistant Director of Public Protection and his team for their continued hard work. 

Councillor Inglis referred to CCTV and stated that whilst this was not part of this Policy review, it was an issue being considered at Chief Executive level across the county. It was recognised that nationally legislation needed to be updated, to bring uniformity and consistency. Councillor Inglis referred to taxis from other authorities, who overwhelmingly outnumbered Rushcliffe’s own licensed vehicles, in particular from the City of Wolverhampton Council, and he referred to the importance of having locally licensed drivers, under Rushcliffe’s control. It was positive that a review was a Government priority; however, time scales were unknown. Councillor Inglis advised that all the Nottingham authorities had concluded that mandating CCTV must be a national policy; however, he was concerned that this might not take place before Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Council was reminded that Rushcliffe was proud to currently promote the White Ribbon Awareness Campaign and support the campaign to end Violence against Women and Girls. It was important that drivers were protected too, so waiting for change was not an option and Rushcliffe wanted to start the process. Councillor Inglis referred to the recommendation from Licensing Committee, which had been included as recommendation b), and believed that a review was necessary before any application for a mandatory CCTV scheme could be successful. The review would include engagement, offer support to Rushcliffe’s drivers and operators and encourage voluntary implementation of a CCTV scheme. Councillor Inglis concluded by stating that he was passionate about safety for all and that this could be achieved by everyone working together.

Councillor Grocock acknowledged that this was an important issue, felt that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43