Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Housing and Safety

RESOLVED

To defer a decision on the licensing of rickshaws in Cheltenham until the outcome of the taxi and private hire licensing law reform review by the Law Commission is published in 2013/14.

The Leader of the Council explained that he was using his discretion in inviting Mr Meyer of Rickshaw Revolution to address Cabinet. Mr Meyer believed that it had taken the Council a considerable amount of time to consider his application for operating licensed rickshaws in the town and had submitted a complaint to that effect. He recognised that safety concerns were of utmost importance and referred to the Gloucestershire Constabulary consultation document which had drawn attention to the City of Westminster report on the safety of rickshaws. He asked why the definitive City of Westminster report had not satisfied the council in granting a licence for operating rickshaws in Cheltenham.

In response the Cabinet Member Housing and Safety explained that the rickshaws operating in London were unlicensed.  He explained that Cabinet had considered the issue in September but Members were still concerned that there were no safety standards for rickshaws or the manufacture of rickshaws. The Hackney Carriage legislation was not fit for purpose with regard to licensing rickshaws but as this was due to be revised in 2013/14 it was proposed that the decision be deferred until then.

Members were supportive of the amended resolution, highlighting continued safety concerns and the complexities in policy. They recognised the contribution a rickshaw service could have on tourism and wished to find a workable solution. When asked whether rickshaws could operate unlicensed in the town the Cabinet Member confirmed that this was possible on a private hire basis. Members advised Mr Meyer to discuss this possibility directly with the Licensing Officer.

RESOLVED

To defer a decision on the licensing of rickshaws in Cheltenham until the outcome of the taxi and private hire licensing law reform review by the Law Commission is published in 2013/14.

Report of the Cabinet Member Housing and Safety

RESOLVED

To defer the item to a future meeting of Cabinet

Prior to the report being introduced the Leader of the Council explained that he would be using his discretion by inviting Mr Meyer of Rickshaw Revolution to address Cabinet.

Mr Meyer expressed his extreme dissatisfaction with the length of time it had taken for a proposal to be laid before Cabinet on the licensing of rickshaws. It had taken 7 months to date and he had intended his company to be operating in Cheltenham in the summer as originally he was advised the process would take 3 months. The proposed policy laid in the report before Cabinet was in his view wholly unsatisfactory and he regretted that he had not been involved in the process.

In introducing the report the Cabinet Member Housing and Safety explained that this was a unique situation and there were outstanding safety concerns which needed to be resolved. The Business Support and Licensing Team Leader was called upon to explain the length of time it had taken for this proposal to be considered. He explained that a formal complaint had been received from the rickshaw operator and a response to the complaint had been forwarded in writing. The proposal had been delayed due to the local government elections in May 2012, the change in Cabinet member, the summer recess and constitutional changes.

The Cabinet Member Housing and Safety added that there were ongoing concerns regarding the safety of rickshaws and to that end it was proposed that the report be deferred to a future meeting of Cabinet.

Members supported this approach due to incomplete information surrounding safety issues. Whilst they welcomed the concept of the operation it was important that the policy was properly considered to ensure that it worked and could be enforced for the benefit of those affected by the policy and for those operating the service.  The Cabinet Member Housing and Safety agreed to meet with Mr Meyer directly to discuss his concerns.

The Leader of the Council explained that the Government may legislate specifically for this activity in the future but in the meantime arrangements to license rickshaws would be necessary in the interest of public safety and protection.

RESOLVED unanimously

To defer the item to a future meeting of Cabinet