Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Customer & Regulatory Services

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The consultation feedback be noted;

2.    The Common Licensing Standards for Taxi and Private Hire Licensing attached at Appendix 2 of this report be adopted;

3.    Authority be delegated to the Licensing Team Leader to put in place the practical measures to implement the common licensing standards policy.

The Cabinet Member Customer and Regulatory Services presented the report, describing it as a positive and sensible move to seek common licensing standards across the county in line with government guidelines, unless there is a very good reason not to. Anyone hailing a cab in Cheltenham, especially at busy times like race week, was likely to use one licensed in Tewkesbury or Gloucester. The alignment of common standards would help drivers and passengers to know where they stood and keep people safe.

The Cabinet Member Cyber and Strategic Transport praised the report as a common-sense step forward with positive practical implications for Cheltenham. The authority prided itself on high standards of licensing and enforcement, which was not necessarily the case at other councils. He noted that there were more private hire vehicles licensed in Tewkesbury operating in Cheltenham than in Tewkesbury, suggesting it was easier to pass licensing tests in Tewkesbury. These shared standards would help to raise the bar across the county.

The Leader moved to the vote, where it was unanimously:

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The consultation feedback be noted;

2.    The Common Licensing Standards for Taxi and Private Hire Licensing attached at Appendix 2 of this report be adopted;

3.    Authority be delegated to the Licensing Team Leader to put in place the practical measures to implement the common licensing standards policy.