Issue - meetings

That:

·       Members Agree to make minor revisions to the revised Policy and recommend that Full Council adopt the revised Policy

·       That public access to the report be immediate.

The Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2022 (“the Policy”) has been reviewed by officers as scheduled (non-statutory requirement).

In June 2025 officers presented the draft changes of the Policy to the Regulatory Service Committee (“the Committee”) and requested their support to commence a public consultation which was agreed.

A public consultation on the draft policy was undertaken from 1 August until 26 September. Officers also organised an event at Three Rivers House for all licenced operators on 12 September whereby views on the draft policy were discussed.

The public consultation received 9 representations in total.

In summarising the responses, the majority agreed to the draft changes to the emission and age standards of licenced vehicles, although concerns were raised regarding the cost implications of tightening standards further. Other responses received agreed about the use of saloon vehicles as Hackney Carriages and the introduction of an initial cap of three vehicles. A more detailed summary of the responses received can be found at Appendix 4.

Following the consultation, officers are seeking a change to the renewal age of vehicles which can be licenced by the authority, from no more than 12 years to no more than 15 years for vehicles which are purpose-built or fully wheelchair accessible vehicles (whether Hackney Carriage or private hire). Additionally, officers consider it reasonable to push back the date the Euro 6 emission standard is applied to new vehicle licences to September 2026, rather than April 2026.

Officers are now seeking agreement to the changes to the Policy, found at Appendix 3.

Recommendation

That members of the Committee:

·        Agree the revised Policy found at Appendix 3 and recommend that Full Council adopt the revised Policy (Option 1); or,

·        Agree to make minor revisions to the revised Policy and recommend that Full Council adopt the revised Policy (Option 2)

That public access to the report be immediate.

The Development Management Team Leader introduced the report and provided a brief update.

Key topics include the use of CCTV cameras inside taxis for safety purposes, which is currently optional but may become mandatory in the future. Advertising on vehicles is allowed but restricted to company-related advertising and requires Council approval.

The conversation addressed licensing fees, noting they are relatively high compared to other areas due to inclusive costs like knowledge tests, with potential future reviews discussed in light of the local government reorganisation (LGR).

The knowledge test content is under review to reflect satellite navigation technology and emphasise understanding of the highway code and policies.

Safeguarding measures for drivers transporting vulnerable groups, including annual safeguarding tests were confirmed by officers.

The discussion also covered vehicle age limits, particularly for wheelchair accessible taxis, with concerns about losing accessible vehicles as age limits tighten.

Taxi ranks and their locations were also discussed, highlighting the importance of encouraging taxi usage and driver recruitment, with considerations about funding and placement of additional ranks.

The Committee also discussed reporting procedures for concerns involving adults, suggesting improvements such as displaying emergency contact numbers on driver badges for quicker access.

Councillor Ciaran Reed proposed an amendment to table 19. of the policy; to move the two offences titled ‘Slavery, abduction, false imprisonment etc.’, ‘Any offence that can be categorised as domestic violence’ into the ‘Serious violence’ offence category.

Councillor Harry Davies moved Option 2 of the recommendation as set out in the report with the amendment to move the offences titled ‘Slavery, abduction, false imprisonment etc.’, and ‘Any offence that can be categorised as domestic violence’ into the ‘Serious violence’ offence category.

On being put to the Committee, the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair, the voting being by general assent.

RESOLVED:

Recommendation

That members of the Committee:

• Agree to make minor revisions to the revised Policy and recommend that Full Council adopt the revised Policy (Option 2)

• That public access to the report be immediate.