Agenda item

Private Hirer Operator and Vehicle Licence Policy

Report of Executive Director, Operational Services

Decision:

8.1

The Licensing Authority is seeking approval of the Private Hire Operator and Vehicle Licence Policy. The policy provides information and guidance on:

 

·       Applications

·       Decision-making

·       Enforcement

 In providing a publicly available document, it allows:

 

·       Transparency

·       Accountability

·       Consistency

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:-

-        Adopt the Private Hire Operator vehicle licensing policy as set out in the report with the following amendments:

 

a.     That the maximum age of the vehicle on first registration, at the point that the policy comes into force on the 1st February 2023, will be 5 years; and

b.     That from the 1st of January 2025 it will be 4 years;

c.     That from the point that the policy comes into force on the 1st February 2023, the maximum age of the vehicle at first registration, if the vehicle is Zero Emission Capable, is 7 years.

d.    That the wording in the policy relating to front door signage be amended to ‘securely’ attached in place of ‘permanently’ attached.

e.     That the wording in the policy relating to signage on the back doors is amended to refer to ‘operator(s)’ in place of ‘operator’, to allow for multiple operators to be shown on the signage.

f.       Establish a Task and Finish group to carry out a piece of work on accessibility within the taxi trade/fleet, to include a particular focus on wheelchair accessible vehicles and space for storage of wheelchairs in none wheelchair accessible vehicles.

g.     Request that officers evaluate the Policy in relation to the effectiveness of the signage 12 months after implementation.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The Department for Transport recommends that licensing authorities make publicly available a cohesive policy document and to review this document every five years.


 

The licensing authority already has in place a Private Hire Operator and Vehicle Licence Policy document which has now been reviewed to take into account the recommendations in the Department for Transport ‘s Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards.

 

The document is designed to:

·       Provide individuals with a clear, consistent basis for submitting applications

·       Provide a clear, consistent basis for determining licence applications

·       Provide licensees with information on licensing requirements throughout the time they are licensed

 

It is recommended that Members approve the policy in order for the updated recommendations be implemented.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

There are no alternative options under consideration.

 

Minutes:

8.1

The Licensing Service Manager and Licensing Strategy and Policy Officer introduced the report which sought approval of the Private Hire Operator and Vehicle Licence Policy. The policy provides information and guidance on:

 

·       Applications

·       Decision-making

·       Enforcement

 In providing a publicly available document, it allows:

 

·       Transparency

·       Accountability

·       Consistency

8.2

A number of amendments were proposed and seconded and discussed by the Committee.  These proposed amendments were passed unanimously with the exception of a proposal to change the wording in the policy relating to front door signage from ‘securely’ attached to ‘permanently’ attached and to amend the policy relating to signage on the back doors to refer to ‘operator(s)’ in place of ‘operator’, to allow for multiple operators to be shown on the signage.  Those two amendments were passed 7 votes to 1.  When the full proposal, as amended, was put to the Committee they resolved unanimously.

 

8.3

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:-

-        Adopt the Private Hire Operator vehicle licensing policy as set out in the report with the following amendments:

 

a.     That the maximum age of the vehicle on first registration, at the point that the policy comes into force on the 1st February 2023, will be 5 years; and

b.     That from the 1st of January 2025 it will be 4 years;

c.     That from the point that the policy comes into force on the 1st February 2023, the maximum age of the vehicle at first registration, if the vehicle is Zero Emission Capable, is 7 years.

d.    That the wording in the policy relating to front door signage be amended to ‘securely’ attached in place of ‘permanently’ attached.

e.     That the wording in the policy relating to signage on the back doors is amended to refer to ‘operator(s)’ in place of ‘operator’, to allow for multiple operators to be shown on the signage.

f.       Establish a Task and Finish group to carry out a piece of work on accessibility within the taxi trade/fleet, to include a particular focus on wheelchair accessible vehicles and space for storage of wheelchairs in none wheelchair accessible vehicles.

g.     Request that officers evaluate the Policy in relation to the effectiveness of the signage 12 months after implementation.

8.4

Reasons for Decision

8.4.1

The Department for Transport recommends that licensing authorities make publicly available a cohesive policy document and to review this document every five years.


 

The licensing authority already has in place a Private Hire Operator and Vehicle Licence Policy document which has now been reviewed to take into account the recommendations in the Department for Transport ‘s Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards.

 

The document is designed to:

·       Provide individuals with a clear, consistent basis for submitting applications

·       Provide a clear, consistent basis for determining licence applications

·       Provide licensees with information on licensing requirements throughout the time they are licensed

 

It is recommended that Members approve the policy in order for the updated recommendations be implemented.

8.5

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.5.1

There are no alternative options under consideration.

 

Supporting documents: