Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

On 29th June, 2015, I published my 'minded to' decision on a new policy for the licensing of the taxi trade in Rotherham. I have received eleven representations, the Director met with representatives of the trade and I have met with them again on 6th July, 2015.

Having taken into account these representations and further comments, I have decided to proceed with the approval of the new policy as published on 29th June, 2015 with the following changes which correct or clarify a number of issues:

1.    Criteria 1 of the Exceptional Condition Criteria (specified in Appendix I of the policy) has been deleted and been replaced with the following criteria:

‘The Council will take account of a good record of maintenance and testing.   Therefore, a vehicle must not have failed the Council’s vehicle inspection on any significant item within the previous five years.  For the purposes of this criteria, a significant item is defined as any item that would make the vehicle ineligible for a free partial retest had the item been identified as failing to meet the requirements during a standard MOT test.’

2.    Appendix H has been amended to clarify that for new applications vehicles that have been disposed of under an insurance salvage agreement (Categories A. B, C and D) will not be considered suitable for licensing.  However, for vehicles already licensed, categories C and D will be considered as now.

3.    References to MOT in Sections 11 and 12 of Appendix N have been removed as appropriate.  It has also been clarified that the vehicle will be tested to MOT test standards on all items that are inspected as part of a standard MOT test, in addition to the requirements specified in Appendix N.  This is to correct errors in the current draft.

4.    Section 5.8 of the policy document, and section 2 of Appendix A to the policy have been amended to make it clear that qualifications (including the required BTEC and the NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving) will only be accepted if the qualification has been issued by a reputable training provider, who can provide the Council with full details of its Quality Assurance Framework.  The Council reserves the right to refuse to accept a certificate of qualification as proof of an applicant / driver meeting a requirement, if it is not satisfied as to the authenticity of the certificate or the quality/reliability of the any part of the process that lead to the certificate being issued.

The new Policy to come into force from 7th July, 2015 and this includes the test of fitness.

However, I am asking for more work to be undertaken before agreeing the associated Implementation Plan and that a revised Implementation plan will be issued as soon as possible. In particular this further work needs to address the following issues:-

·         Arrangements for the introduction of taxi cameras and timescales.

·         Arrangements for improvement of vehicle signage.

·         Clarification of timescales in relation to vehicle age and timing  ...  view the full decision text for item 3.

On 29th June, 2015, I published my 'minded to' decision on a new policy for the licensing of the taxi trade in Rotherham. I have received eleven representations, the Director met with representatives of the trade and I have met with them again on 6th July, 2015.

Having taken into account these representations and further comments, I have decided to proceed with the approval of the new policy as published on 29th June, 2015 with the following changes which correct or clarify a number of issues:

1.    Criteria 1 of the Exceptional Condition Criteria (specified in Appendix I of the policy) has been deleted and been replaced with the following criteria:

‘The Council will take account of a good record of maintenance and testing.   Therefore, a vehicle must not have failed the Council’s vehicle inspection on any significant item within the previous five years.  For the purposes of this criteria, a significant item is defined as any item that would make the vehicle ineligible for a free partial retest had the item been identified as failing to meet the requirements during a standard MOT test.’

2.    Appendix H has been amended to clarify that for new applications vehicles that have been disposed of under an insurance salvage agreement (Categories A. B, C and D) will not be considered suitable for licensing.  However, for vehicles already licensed, categories C and D will be considered as now.

3.    References to MOT in Sections 11 and 12 of Appendix N have been removed as appropriate.  It has also been clarified that the vehicle will be tested to MOT test standards on all items that are inspected as part of a standard MOT test, in addition to the requirements specified in Appendix N.  This is to correct errors in the current draft.

4.    Section 5.8 of the policy document, and section 2 of Appendix A to the policy have been amended to make it clear that qualifications (including the required BTEC and the NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving) will only be accepted if the qualification has been issued by a reputable training provider, who can provide the Council with full details of its Quality Assurance Framework.  The Council reserves the right to refuse to accept a certificate of qualification as proof of an applicant / driver meeting a requirement, if it is not satisfied as to the authenticity of the certificate or the quality/reliability of the any part of the process that lead to the certificate being issued.

The new Policy to come into force from 7th July, 2015 and this includes the test of fitness.

However, I am asking for more work to be undertaken before agreeing the associated Implementation Plan and that a revised Implementation plan will be issued as soon as possible. In particular this further work needs to address the following issues:-

·         Arrangements for the introduction of taxi cameras and timescales.

·         Arrangements for improvement of vehicle signage.

·         Clarification of timescales in relation to vehicle age and timing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.