Agenda item

7.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report providing details of the results of the recent consultation which had been carried out, as requested at the meeting of the Committee in May 2013, with regard to a mandatory CCTV in licensed vehicles Policy.

7.2

In attendance for this item were Clive Stephenson, Principal Licensing Officer and Peter Davies, Aftab Ahmed and M. Yasin (GMB Trade Union Representatives), Hafeas Rehman, Z. Ahmed and M. Nisar (Sheffield Taxi Trade Association).

7.3

Clive Stephenson presented the report and stated that many consultation meetings had been held throughout last year and that the consultation was now complete.

7.4

Members from the Trade Union and Taxi Trade Association made it clear that they were set against this policy as they feel it would be intrusive on their private lives and that tracking systems are in place so that both drivers and customers are safe.

7.5

In response to questions, Clive Stephenson stated that following reported incidents, CCTV would not have been of any benefit at all and there is a very good procedure in place should there be any cause for complaint.  He added that there is currently a Bill going through Parliament asking for the implementation of a mandatory condition that all licensed private hire vehicles and hackney carriages are fitted with CCTV and if the Bill becomes legislation, the Local Authority would have to implement it.

7.6

RESOLVED: That the public and press and attendees be excluded from the meeting before further discussion takes place on the grounds that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if those persons were present, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

7.7

The Solicitor to the Committee reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the report.

7.8

At this stage in the proceedings, the meeting was re-opened to the public and press and attendees.

7.9

RESOLVED: That, following consideration of the report now submitted, the Committee agrees that the current voluntary policy relating to image recording equipment (CCTV) in licensed vehicles is satisfactory and therefore agrees to make no changes to that policy.