Agenda and minutes

Where a Councillor has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest the Councillor must declare the interest to the meeting and leave the room without participating in any discussion or making a statement on the item, except where a Councillor is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of dispensation.

There were none.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2018.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 8 November 2018.

AGREED:

That the minutes be signed as a correct record.

To received a written report from the Licensing and Business Support Manager to consider the draft taxi licensing policy prior to it being published for consultation (Report of Shared Public Protection Manager enclosed).

The Committee received an update from the Licensing Team Leader to consider the draft taxi licensing policy prior to it being published for consultation.  The main points raised were:

·         The taxi licensing policy was out of date and changes in legislation meant that it had been on hold.  The Licensing Team Leader therefore revised the policy.  At the end of the process there will be an updated policy which would be taken out to a full 12 week consultation with partners.

·         The information in the draft report had been drawn from different neighbouring authorities.

·         Highlighting points were:

- Page 44 – cities required to have vehicles changed to meet lower  emission standards.  Government were trying to reduce emissions by 50% by 2022. 

- By April 2020 all new applications need to meet Euro 4 emission standards, with petrol meeting Euro 5 and Diesel meeting Euro6. Members asked what category Euro 5 was.  Officers informed Member that Euro 5 vehicles were registered from 2005.  All HCV are wheelchair accessible.

·         Officers informed members that the infrastructure was being put in place for electric charging points.  Work has already started at the Council offices.

·         Members were informed that there was no mandatory plan in place for CCTV specifications in taxis.  There had been no direct complaints regarding safeguarding.  Drivers who wished to have CCTV would have to let SHDC know as this would help to protect the driver and passengers.

·         Members asked how many taxis currently have CCTV.  Officer informed Members that this was not known at present as it is not a mandatory requirement.  If it became a mandatory requirement there would need to be a Data Protector and SHDC would be responsible for holding recordings under the Data Protection Act.

·         Members asked how many cars on the road were classed as Euro 3 for emissions.  Officers informed Members that there were quite a few at the moment but they could not be sure.  Private hire vehicles would be affected more and they were being contacted separately before the consultation.  Officers stated that they proposed to approach all private hire drivers as they may need to change their cars.

·         Members debated that wheelchair accessible vehicles had a 12 year age limit which would affect the livelihood of drivers.  Officers informed Members that each vehicle would be taken on its own merit and consideration would be given to the impact on trade.  Consultation would give good feedback.

·         Members were informed of changes in relation to Vehicle Testing, conditions relating to trailers, roof carriers and bike racks.  Legislation has also been added to the policy relating to babies and children in vehicles.

·         Members were informed that an English test and qualification would be introduced to ensure that all taxi drivers had good communication skills as many of the drivers do not speak English.

AGREED: 

That the Report be noted

Licensing and Business Support Manager to be in attendance to provide an update on the functions that fall under the remit of the Licensing Committee. 

Members received an update regarding the new software system which was being implemented in the Licensing department which would be going live in the next few weeks.  The new system would enable customers to submit some applications online, with a view to all applications and enquiries being made online in the future.

AGREED:

That the update be noted.

There were none.