Issue - meetings

To consider the review of Uttlesford District Council’s Taxi Licensing Policies.

Following the public statements, the Chairman allowed the public speakers to table an email from James Button, a solicitor specialising in hackney carriage and private hire law, relating specifically to the issue of restricted drivers’ licences for school transport services.

At 8.00pm the Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow members to read the tabled document.

At 8.05pm the meeting was re-adjourned.

The Chairman said there was a need for the Council’s licensing department to move away from only carrying out the statutory minimum checks when processing licences and towards a more comprehensive system to ensure a higher level of public safety.

In response to the public statements, the Licensing Consultant said the policy review had taken in to account the Department of Transport’s draft guidelines, and also the Government’s response to the work of the task and finish group. He said the fact that a review of central government policy was forthcoming was not a reason for UDC to delay the renewal of its own policy, which was based on industry best practice.

The Licensing Consultant summarised the report for the Committee’s consideration, with specific regard paid to the proposals in the report that had been amended in light of comments received throughout the consultation.

New driver training and testing

Following consideration of responses received during the consultation period, it was agreed that no amendments would be made to the initial proposal sent out for consultation. This would be implemented within 6 months of the decision being made.

Update course for existing licensed drivers

Following consideration of responses received during the consultation period, it was agreed that no amendments would be made to the initial proposal sent out for consultation. This would be implemented within 12 months of the decision being made.

Suitability policy for the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Trade

Following consideration of responses received during the consultation period, it was agreed that amendments would be made to the initial proposal sent out for consultation. The result was an abridged Suitability Policy document, which had been shortened with the intention to allow all stakeholders to understand how UDC assessed fitness and propriety to hold a licence. This would be implemented within 12 months of the decision being made.

Driving Proficiency

Following consideration of responses received during the consultation period, it was agreed that no amendments would be made to the initial proposal sent out for consultation. This would be implemented within 12 months of the decision being made.

Vehicle Emissions Policy

Following consideration of responses received during the consultation period, it was agreed that amendments would be made to the initial proposal sent out for consultation. These were:

1) Removal of the age criteria leaving only the emissions criteria; and

2) The implementation dates to be moved back by one year.

Licensing standards for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles

Having considered the consultation responses, the following changes were proposed to vehicle standards:

1)    The addition of E7 vehicles to the types of vehicles that will be licensed;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3