Agenda item

Public Questions and Petitions

To receive any questions or petitions from members of the public

Minutes:

4.1

The Leader reported that two petitions and questions from three members of the public had been received prior to the published deadline for submission of petitions and questions for this meeting.  A representation for one of the petitions was made in writing on behalf of the petitioners.

 

4.2

Petitions

 

4.3

Petition requesting a mix fleet of Hackney Carriage Vehicles licensed by Sheffield City Council

 

The Council received an electronic petition containing 101 signatures requesting a mix fleet of Hackney Carriage Vehicles licensed by Sheffield City Council.

 

Representations on behalf of the petitioners was made by Ibrar Hussain.  Mr. Hussain addressed the Co-operative Executive and explained that 101 Hackney Carriage drivers had signed the petition which highlighted the concerns felt regarding the recommendations in the Clean Air Plan report and the consequences for the trade.

 

There needed to be a Licensing Policy review on the specification for Hackney Cabs as options will be limited and this could impact on disabled passengers.  There were now 610 licenced Hackney Carriages in Sheffield and this number was continuing to fall. 

 

The Hackney Carriage drivers were asking to work with the Licensing Department and have an immediate review of the policy in 6-8 weeks and ensure proper consultation with stakeholders.

 

The Leader referred the petition to Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport).  Councillor Johnson thanked Mr. Hussain for presenting the petition and explained that there would be full consultation on the Clean Air Zone which Hackney Carriage Drivers would be able to feed in to.  Changes had been made to the original proposal and it was important to minimise any impact on disabled persons. 

 

4.4

Petition requesting the Council save space for walking and cycling in Sheffield.

 

The Council received an electronic petition containing 939 signatures requesting the Council save space for walking and cycling in Sheffield.  There was no speaker for this petition, but the Monitoring Officer read out a supporting statement from the lead petitioner.

 

The Leader referred the petition to Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport). Councillor Johnson undertook to supply a response in writing, but noted that the petition summed up why it was so important to make the city healthier and happier.  Younger people and children need clean air to grow up with.  Cycling and walking measures will be retained.

 

4.5

Public Questions

 

4.6

Mr Hafeas Rehman from Sheffield Taxi Association attended the meeting and asked the following question:

 

The Sheffield Taxi Association was not against the Clean Air Zone – everyone needs clean air to breathe.  Members of the Sheffield Taxi Association had been consulted with and had really thought about what needed to happen and how to make the city cleaner.  They had also given thought to alternative vehicle specifications.

 

The proposal for a mixed fleet was the perfect solution and was used in other cities such as Newcastle and Leeds.  Why wasn’t it right for Sheffield?

 

The Clean Air Zone wasn’t needed to improve vehicle specifications.  Disabled people preferred rear loading taxi’s which enabled them to be forward facing and had a better passenger experience in Newcastle and Leeds. 

 

What else had been done to improve air quality in Sheffield.  The most polluted area of the city was outside Sheffield Station and the taxi rank was under the canopy which was even more polluted.  Does the health of the taxi drivers not matter?

 

Time was needed to change vehicle specification and allow drivers time to purchase new vehicles before the Clean Air Zone was implemented.  Reductions in the number of taxi’s in the city also presented a risk to the public and Uber prices would increase.

 

Mr. Ibrar Hussain asked the following questions:

 

What will happen to those vehicle's where the owner of current licenced hackney carriage or private hire wants to replace vehicle engine euro 4  petrol or euro 6 diesel in a vehicle that's currently licensed will you allow that to happen?

 

(Some vehicles its cheaper to replace an engine than buy an vehicle under current climate, as long as the vehicle full fills the criteria of euro4 or euro6 engines)

 

When will the licensing go paperless at Sheffield City Council as it has in other authorities?  This would make it easier for drivers.  Also, When will the Licensing Department open up for drivers to visit and when will consideration be given to taxi drivers using bus lanes?

 

 

The Leader referred the questions to Councillor Douglas Johnson (Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport) whilst noting that the Council had worked throughout the pandemic to deliver the best service that it could for the public.

 

Councillor Johnson responded to the questions and understood the point about keeping consultations short.  Those driving taxis were among the most affected by air quality and improved working conditions were needed.  There were issues with the supply of vehicles and the delay in the Clean Air Zone had caused uncertainty in the industry.

 

The decision to implement and the consultation would allow the decisions to be made.  There would be a requirement to move forward with electric vehicles, but there should be some grant funding available.

 

The permitted age of the vehicle was not just to do with the engine, but also applied to roadworthiness.

 

Councillor Grocutt added that the issue regarding the railway station issue was important and the Council would look to work with the Rail Authority to look at the matter.