Agenda item

To consider report HCS/053 of the Head of Community Services.

The Committee considered report HCS/053 of the Head of Community Services, which set out proposed changes to two licence conditions in the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.  The Health, Safety and Licensing Team Leader presented the report and summarised the proposed amendments, which related to engine size specifications and to drivers’ medical circumstances.

The Committee then discussed the matter.  Committee members expressed general support for the revision regarding engine sizes of licensed vehicles – it was felt that reducing the minimum size from 1,600cc to 1,400cc was a positive move toward a more environmentally-friendly fleet of vehicles, particularly by enabling more hybrid and electric cars to be used.  Following a suggestion from a Committee member that the minimum size be further reduced, the Officer clarified that licensed vehicles need to meet other requirements (e.g. leg room, space for luggage) with which vehicles with engines smaller than 1,400cc were not likely to comply.  It was also confirmed that the proposal would bring the Policy in line with several other local authorities.  A Committee member suggested that, when considering revisions to the Policy in the future, brake horsepower could be used instead of engine size, as this may give a more accurate reflection of a vehicle’s power.

The Committee discussed the proposed amendment regarding changes to drivers’ medical circumstances.  A Committee member raised a concern about the wording of the amendment – it was suggested that requiring a licensed driver to inform the Council of any changes to medical circumstances ‘immediately’ may cause undue pressure and stress in an already difficult personal situation.  The Officer highlighted that the overriding aim of the licensing regime was public safety, and that it was essential that drivers inform the Council of certain medical conditions without delay before operating their licensed vehicle to ensure their own safety and that of their passengers, other road users, and pedestrians.  The Committee discussed various alternatives, with the aim of balancing public safety with the needs of licensed drivers.  It was proposed that the wording of the amendment be changed as follows: ‘…in the case of medical matters which must be notified immediately and in any case prior to the driving of any licensed vehicle…’.  The Committee agreed that the amendment be made and that this become part of the substantive recommendation.

The Committee heard that minor clerical corrections were required to the proposed amendment regarding engine sizes, as follows: ‘With an engine having capacity of at least 1400 cc, including vehicles badged by the manufacturer as “1.4 cc” models. Any hybrid/LPG, electric or other alternatively powered vehicle must have an equal or greater power output to a 1400cc engine.’ The Committee agreed that the corrections be made and that these become part of the substantive recommendation.

Following a request from a Committee member, the Committee agreed to take the two proposed amendments to the Policy (medical circumstances and engine sizes) as two separate votes.

RESOLVED

That the Committee approves the amended conditions of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, as detailed in paragraphs 4.7 and 4.9 of report HCS/053 (and as amended by the Committee), for the following reasons:

·     Improve public safety by reinstating a requirement on a licensed driver to notify the Council as Licensing Authority within a specified timescale of changes to medical circumstances as part of the “fit and proper” requirements

·     Allow for the licensed trade to have access to a broader range of vehicles for use as a licensed vehicle.