Agenda item

There will be a presentation on this item.

The Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection gave a presentation to the Panel, a copy of which can be found online as an appendix to these minutes or on the Panel’s Minute Book. A summary is set out below.

Why are we reviewing the policy and conditions?

•  Need to align with the proposals for Bath’s Clean Air Plan

•  Need to fulfil recommendation of Ofsted Report of Children’s Services in 2017

•  The last review was in 2014 and there is a need for an update to ensure our policy and conditions remain fit for purpose

Proposal: Vehicle Specification

•  Taxis will be included in all options of the Clean Air Zone.

•  Technical modelling is currently underway which will give us a clearer picture of the types of taxi vehicles which could or could not be charged. 

•  Current assessment is recommending that Euro 6 Diesel / Euro 4 Petrol vehicles, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles would be considered as compliant.

Proposal: Mandatory Child Sexual Exploitation awareness training

•  Ofsted report recommended that all drivers undergo some form of CSE awareness training

•  Drivers will need to prove that they have received training for their licence to be renewed

•  Proposal is for 1 hour training session to be delivered in-house at minimum cost to drivers

•  This is about drivers being supported to take action if they identify a problem

Proposal: English speaking test for new applicants

•  It is essential for public safety that a driver can communicate clearly with passengers and the Emergency Services in the event of an emergency situation.

•  Other LA’s have introduced similar tests

•  Assessment will be conducted at the taxi licensing office as part of the application process

Proposal: Adoption of s165-167 the Equalities Act 2010

•  In future the Council will maintain a list of ‘designated’ vehicles suitable for use by customers using wheelchairs

•  Duties are imposed for drivers to provide assistance to such customers e.g. handling luggage into and out of the vehicle

•  Provides greater transparency around our commitment to disabled customers

•  Requires adoption by the Licensing Committee

Public consultation

•  Launched today (16th July 2018) and running until 14th September 2018 (23.59hrs) –  8 weeks

•  Launch event held at Odd Down Sports Ground on 16th July 2018 between 10am-3pm to which all drivers had been invited

•  Policy consultation discussed at CTE Scrutiny Panel on 16 July 2018

•  Bring report to Licensing Committee in October 2018 for ratification, before referring to Cabinet for decision

Communications

•  Dedicated webpage from 16 July 2018 at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/breathetaxis 

•  Online questionnaire for consultation responses

•  All drivers and operators will be sent copies of proposed documents for their information, together with a summary document of changes

Councillor Richard Samuel commented that current fleet data must exist, so the new conditions when set should be stated to the operators and they must be informed that they must comply, otherwise they are not given a licence.

The Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection replied that modelling work continues and that electric and hybrid vehicles are being promoted where possible.

Councillor Samuel said that charges through the clean air zone would be unavoidable for taxi drivers if they did not comply.

The Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection acknowledged that and said that Government funding was being pursued that may aid drivers / operators.

Councillor Samuel questioned the equity in asking drivers to take part in an English speaking test and asked if they could appeal if they failed.

The Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection replied that the test is to assess the driver’s ability to communicate and that concerns had been raised through the current application process. She added that the Council needs to satisfy itself that drivers will be able to handle emergency situations appropriately.

She said the test would take around 20 minutes and that a pass rate of at least 56/80 was required. She added that if applicants were unsuccessful in the test they would be shown how to access resources to improve their results. She said that she was unsure of the process regarding any appeal and reminded the Panel that the test was only applicable to new drivers.

Councillor Brian Simmons asked if this would apply to Uber drivers.

The Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection replied that the test would be required to be undertaken by any new taxi driver that would be licensed by B&NES.

Councillor Peter Turner commented that he had been made aware that all taxis in Halifax were now either electric or hybrid vehicles.

The Team Manager for Licensing and Environmental Protection replied that the benefits of such an initiative are obvious but noted the need for the correct and accessible charging infrastructure to be in place.

The Chairman thanked her for her presentation on behalf of the Panel.