Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Fonseca.

Councillor Sangster, Councillor Shelton and Councillor Thomas were absent, no apologies having been received.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd October 2019 are attached and the Committee will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd October 2019 be approved as a correct record.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any petitions submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no petitions had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no questions, representations and statements of case had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submits a report to inform the Committee of the forthcoming vehicle consultation. Members are recommended to comment on the draft consultation.

The Director of Neighbourhood and Environmental Services submitted a report informing the Committee of the forthcoming vehicle consultation.

The Chief Licensing Officer explained that the current policies and procedures were being reviewed and draft proposals required consultation. Members of the Committee were invited to consider the draft proposals which were planned to be consulted upon in the New Year and provide any comments for the Executive.

Members of the Committee discussed each of the proposals which included comments as follows:

Proposal 1 Application process: Supported

Proposal 2 Engine Emissions:

Members noted that the proposal was moving from Euro 4 emission standard to Euro 5 then Euro 6 in a staged process to improve emission standards. Of the current fleet of black cabs 110 were Euro 4 standard.

Members discussed the life span of vehicles and the impact of imposing changes on vehicle owners as well as the effect of any possible daily charge being introduced from 2021 if a Clean Air Zone is introduced.

Members were informed that all vehicle owners would be written to and sent the consultation inviting their responses to all of the proposals before any decision was taken to change policy. Members also discussed the grant scheme to help drivers take up ULEV taxi’s noting there was a statement within the consultation around that.

Members suggested that the proposal include the possibility of some leeway for Euro 5 vehicle owners.

Proposal 3 Vehicle Age:

Members noted that vehicle age for ULEVs was explored in early 2019, legal advice then was that it was not appropriate to have different age policies based on the method of propulsion of vehicles. ULEV’s were newer and there was no data on longevity, so there was now a need to look at all vehicles and the proposal was for further investigation to be carried out regarding an appropriate age policy. Members supported this proposal.

Proposal 4 CCTV:

Members noted that the policy currently did not require CCTV to be fitted in vehicles however it was appropriate to consider this and as a responsible authority to give drivers guidance on CCTV. Members felt it would be good for safety but were concerned it may be open to abuse. Members were advised that access to the CCTV and recordings could be restricted.  Members discussed the mechanism for CCTV in vehicles and how that would deter or modify behaviour of those in the vehicles. It was commented that access to CCTV would prove or disprove any allegations and Rotherham was cited as an example of one of the first authorities to introduce CCTV. Members were satisfied that proposal 4 should be consulted upon.

Proposal 5 Windscreens and windows:

Members noted that it was in the interests of safety that whatever goes on in the vehicle was visible and proposal 5 was supported.

Proposal 6 and 7 General Construction: Supported

Proposal 8 Fuel tanks: Supported

Proposal 9 Fire extinguishers: Supported

Proposal 10 Wheelchair facilities: Supported

Proposal 11 Paintwork and body finishes: Supported

Proposal 12 Passenger  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

None.

The meeting closed at 7.05pm