Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Recommendation:-

1.    That Cabinet agrees to the amendment of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2020-2023 by reducing the frequency of issuing vehicle licence plates to yearly.

Consideration was given to the report which summarised the outcome of an additional public consultation regarding the issuing of vehicle licence plates following the approval of a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy in March 2020.

Following the original consultation, an additional change had been requested by licensed drivers, trade representatives and the Council’s Licensing Board which proposed that vehicle licence plates be issued for the duration of the licence rather than for the duration of a vehicles compliance check. As this had not been discussed through the original consultation, it was recommended that a further public consultation be conducted. The COVID-19 pandemic had delayed the consultation but a decision was taken to commence with an online consultation rather than a face-to-face consultation.

Under the current Policy, all licensed vehicles had to undergo regular compliance checks, the number of which were determined by the age of the vehicle. Licence plates were issued for the duration of the check, meaning that 237 vehicles were issued 2 licence plates per year and 639 vehicles were issued 3 licences plates per year. Respondents to the consultation believed that this requirement was no longer necessary due to changes in the administration of the Licensing Service. The Council was now able to send out automatic reminders to drivers that their compliance check was due and to report whether a vehicle had attended their compliance check. As such it was possible to issue just one plate a year.

This proposal would create a more efficient process for drivers but also create significant efficiencies within the Licensing Service, reducing the number of face-to-face interactions in Riverside House by 1,515 per year. It would also reduce the cost to the trade by £28,785 per annum and reduce the amount of non-recyclable plastic going to landfill by 112 square metres.

The report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-decision scrutiny process. The Board fully supported the recommendations.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet agree to the amendment of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2020-2023 by reducing the frequency of issuing vehicle licence plates to yearly.