Agenda item

8.1

The Licensing Authority is seeking approval of the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Policy. The Policy officer introduced the report which provided 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:-

1.     Approve the Hackney Carriage Vehicle License Policy to come into force on 1st March 2023, as set out in Appendix H, with the amendment to amend the age of first registration to 7 years and 6 months for Diesel, Petrol and ZEC vehicles.

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.

8.3.2

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

8.3.3

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.

7.1

The Head of Street Scene Services and the Licensing Strategy and Policy Officer introduced a report seeking approval of the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Policy. The Policy Officer introduced the report which would provide information and guidance on applications, decision-making and enforcement. The Policy would be publicly available, allowing transparency, accountability and consistency.

7.3

In response to Members questions, the Licensing Strategy and Policy Officer clarified a number of points including: the age restrictions on vehicles would encourage the most pollutant vehicles to be replaced sooner; licensing fees were being reviewed with finance to achieve a fair balance; hackney carriage vehicles would be exempt from CAZ fees until 5 June 2023 with further exemptions for drivers who have applied for finance or are waiting for vehicles; the Licensing Sub-Committee can consider extensions for licensing vehicles beyond the licensable period; and, the Policy would remain under review and a full review would be undertaken after three years.

7.4

The Committee resolved to amend the Policy, increasing the age of licensable vehicles at first registration to seven years and six months in recognition of the difficulties faced by drivers regarding the availability of Euro 6 and ZEC vehicles.

7.5

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

1.     Approve the Hackney Carriage Vehicle License Policy to come into force on 1st March 2023, as set out in Appendix H, with the amendment to amend the age of first registration to 7 years and 6 months for Diesel, Petrol and ZEC vehicles.

7.6

Reasons for Decision

7.6.1

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

7.6.2

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

7.6.3

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

7.7

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

7.7.1

There are no alternative options under consideration.