Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Recommendations:-

1.    That the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2020-2023 be adopted.

2.    That approval be given to further public consultation regarding changes to the issuing of vehicle plates, as described in Section 2.11.

Consideration was given to the report which detailed how in July 2015, the Council introduced a revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.  This policy was now widely seen to be setting the standard for other Local Authorities to benchmark against in relation to Taxi and Private Hire licensing. 

As this policy was due for review the Council have widely consulted on a number of proposed changes to ensure the standard of licensed drivers, vehicles and operators in Rotherham continued to be of the highest quality.

This report outlined the final changes that have been included in a proposed revised policy based on consultation and sought approval for adoption.

The changes related to helping taxi drivers with their driver medical assessments and responding to some of the concerns, DBS checks for operator staff, refresher training and making sure that drivers were aware of the latest issues with regards to safeguarding.

In addition, there were recommended changes to signage and driver ID, camera storage and around vehicle plates requiring a further discussion of how this could be implemented in 2021.

The Chair of the Licensing Board welcomed the changes, especially given the initial reluctance to install CCTV in licensed vehicles and with the Cabinet Member the Council would continue to lobby for a national scheme.

The report had been subject to pre-decision scrutiny by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 18^th March, 2020 where Members had indicated their support for the recommendations.

Resolved:-

(1)  That the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 20202023 be adopted. 

(2)  That a further public consultation regarding changes to the issuing of vehicle plates, as described in Section 2.11 be approved.