Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Development and Safety

RESOLVED THAT

1. the consultation comments received be noted;

2. the amended draft policy as outlined in Appendix 2 be approved including the adoption of a uniform colour for Hackney Carriage vehicles;

3. subject to resolution 2, further consultation on the colour and implementation date of the uniform colour scheme policy be approved; and

4. authority be delegated to the Director of Environmental & Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member of Development and Safety, to approve a colour and an implementation date for the uniform colour scheme policy following the further consultation.

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety introduced the report and explained that the Council’s current Licensing policy, guidance and conditions for private hire and taxis (taxi policy) was adopted by Council in October 2010.

The Cabinet Member explained that there was a commitment set out in the policy to review taxi policy at least once every three years to ensure it remained up to date and relevant. A draft policy for consultation was approved by Cabinet in November last year and Cabinet was now being asked to consider the consultation feedback and approval of the amended draft policy. Appendix 3 detailed the proposed changes. These included the following :

• the introduction of new safety requirements
• the requirement that all applicants demonstrated a sufficient proficiency in English
• the introduction of the Driving Standards Agency Assessment for all applicants
• not accepting any type of re-cut tyres and only accepting remould tyres under very limited circumstances
• preventing advertising of tobacco and alcohol on the side of vehicles
• proposal for a uniform colour for taxis.

The Cabinet Member informed that as there was no unanimity of view on the colour issue, further consultation would take place and dark green, the corporate colour of the council, would be proposed as a starting point. In terms of the high standards test for applicants this had been raised with partner councils and a common approach would be adopted to ensure that the policy was effective.

RESOLVED THAT

1. the consultation comments received be noted;

2. the amended draft policy as outlined in Appendix 2 be approved including the adoption of a uniform colour for Hackney Carriage vehicles;

3. subject to resolution 2, further consultation on the colour and implementation date of the uniform colour scheme policy be approved; and

4. authority be delegated to the Director of Environmental & Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member of Development and Safety, to approve a colour and an implementation date for the uniform colour scheme policy following the further consultation.