Agenda item

The Licensing and Public Protection Manager introduced the report as published. She confirmed that a 6-week consultation began on the 3 March 2025.

In response to Members’ questions, officers confirmed that:

-       Given the declaration of a climate crisis a carbon neutral fleet date of 2030 has been recommended. Any vehicle licences issued by 1 November 2029 will be allowed to continue until the 31 October 2030, but then will need to be carbon neutral on their renewal date. The committee noted that it was an important environmental consideration that cars are not scrapped unnecessarily before the end of their natural life. All licensing authorities within Gloucestershire have declared a carbon emergency, officers have reached out to these authorities on how they will be managing this situation but due to the local government reorganisation they are currently not reviewing their policies in relation to carbon neutral delivery.

-       The language used in relation to English qualifications is generic wording as part of the Gloucestershire Common Standards shared with the other 5 local authorities. This would need to be reviewed with the Gloucestershire County Group. The qualifications listed are only examples of qualifications that are accepted. The team test the basic level of English understanding required to have a conversation within a licensed vehicle, for example, to understand road signs or spot safeguarding concerns. If a person does not have these qualifications they have the opportunity within Gloucestershire to undertake a language proficiency test with an officer. If this is failed they will be referred to an officer for a conversation assessment, and if concerns remain they are referred to the committee.

-       Consultation has been carried out with the air quality team and environmental health team regarding carbon neutral vehicle requirements.

-       The fare card sets the price structure for charging and is determined by a Cabinet Member decision following a legislative process unique to CBC, which includes consultation with the trade about what they would like to see, consideration of the rate of inflation and a 28-day public consultation.

-       It will be a requirement that drivers notify passengers that they have CCTV in their vehicle to comply with the Information Commissioner’s Office and they will be required to notify the local authority of its presence, but they will not be mandated to have CCTV. This is being looked at but will require a significant amount of work.

-       The proposed change of operator returns from quarterly to monthly are to provide the council with more up-to-date information of where vehicles and drivers are working.

The committee confirmed that the following feedback should be provided as part of the consultation:

-       That the policy should ensure that vehicles are not scrapped unnecessarily before the end of their life.

-       The policy should specify what is considered better than Euro 6 in relation to carbon emissions, environment and health.

-       Ancillary policies, such as whistleblowing and data sharing, should be included within the body of the main policy.

-       Consideration should be given to alternative acceptable qualifications that are less specific to England, for example the inclusion within the policy of the Council of Europe’s Common European Regulatory Framework for language proficiency.

-       It is important to ensure that the policy is written in an easily understandable format, especially as it is not within the council’s power to change the language within the byelaws issued by the Secretary of State. A question could be submitted to Cheltenham’s MP on ensuring the language used within the byelaws are written in plain English.

-       Information should be displayed in plain English on how customers can raise both complaints and compliments.

-       It should be made clear that only Visa and Mastercard will be required due to the unfairness on the trade of the high Amex fees.

-       Consideration should be given to including an explanation of how fares are determined, why they are set at certain levels and what process is followed.

The committee:

-       Noted the proposed revisions to the authority’s adopted licensing policy, guidance and conditions for private hire and taxis; and

-       Provided formal recommendations and responses to the Cabinet Member of Safety & Communities in relation to the proposed revisions of the licensing policy.