Issue - meetings

This report seeks to provide a policy on hackney carriages and private hire licensing standards and amends the general conditions for drivers, vehicles and private hire operators

David Redgewell in an ad hoc statement objected that no Equality Impact Assessment had been provided, nor referred to in the report.  He was angry that the Council was still allowing operators to run from the train station with not a single vehicle with disabled access.  He asked when the Council would enforce this.  He was unhappy that the report imposed no conditions about accessibility.

The Chair assured David Redgewell that an Equality Impact Assessment had been completed and said that he would arrange for him to be sent a copy.

Councillor Anthony Clarke in an ad hoc statement asked that other vehicles be considered for licensing under special circumstances, as are wedding and funeral cars already.  He also asked why the use of GPS was not allowed.

Councillor David Laming in an ad hoc statement asked for more detail about the available training.

Councillor David Dixon introduced the item.  He apologised that no Equality Impact Assessment had been published with the proposals.  He replied to David Redgewell’s observation about accessible vehicles at the station by assuring him that all new vehicles must in future be fully accessible, so the fleet would gradually move towards compliance.  Operators would also be required to undertake manual handling training which will be both practical and theory, with an assessment which would require a pass.

Councillor Dixon explained the reasons why GPS was not allowed in vehicles.

He moved the proposals.

Councillor Caroline Roberts seconded the proposals.

Councillor Ben Stevens agreed to the proposals and felt that they would contribute to making Bath a welcoming place to visit.

Councillor Tim Ball agreed with the points made by David Redgewell about accessible vehicles at the station.  He looked forward to the improvements promised by Councillor Dixon.

Councillor David Dixon, summing up, said that the majority of drivers were excellent and the conditions were to ensure that.  The drivers had been keen when the training opportunity had been suggested.  He observed that it would be possible to negotiate with the train operator to see if access to the taxi rank immediately outside the station could be improved.

On a motion from Councillor David Dixon, seconded by Councillor Caroline Roberts, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ADOPT the policy for hackney carriage and private hire licensing standards; and

(2) That the Cabinet provide comment to the Licensing Committee on the general conditions relating to hackney carriage and private hire drivers, specified in the report.