Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Recommendations:-

1.    That Cabinet agree the draft policy that should be consulted upon and authorise officers to commence consultation as outlined in this report.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the key changes proposed to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and sought approval to commence a period of consultation in relation to the proposals.

It was reported that, in July 2015, the Council had introduced a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, which was widely seen to be setting the standard for other local authorities to benchmark against in relation to Taxi and Private Hire licensing. As the Council was committed to continual improvement, it was reviewing the current policy to introduce amendments that would ensure that the standard of licensed driver, vehicle and operator in Rotherham continued to be of a high standard.

It was further reported that the consultation take place for a period of eight weeks from January until March 2020 and would include, but would not be limited to:

·         Representatives of the local Licensed Trade

·         Council Members

·         Licensing Board

·         Members of the public

·         South Yorkshire Police

·         Groups representing older people, young people, people with disabilities and other similar groups

·         Groups representing the interests of passengers

·         NACRO

·         Groups representing survivors / victims of crime

·         Neighbouring Local Licensing Authorities.

Members agreed that it was essential that those affected by the policy were appropriately involved in its development. Therefore, the licensed trade and members of the public would be fully involved in the consultation process and their views and suggestions would be taken into consideration before a final policy was drafted and presented for approval by Cabinet in March 2020.

Resolved:-

That the draft policy that be consulted upon and officers be authorised to commence consultation in accordance with the timescales detailed within the report.