Issue - meetings

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be received; and

(B)   the revised Taxi Licensing Policy, subject to the inclusion of wording that ensured that private hire vehicles displayed a warning notice stating that occupants were not insured if the private hire Taxi had not been pre-booked, be approved.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report that summarised the responses to public consultation in respect of the proposals for amendments to taxi licensing policy.

Members were advised that the Leader of the Council had made a commitment to a review of taxi licensing.  Community Scrutiny Committee had subsequently set up a Task and Finish Group to review Taxi Licensing in East Herts.

The Task and Finish group had reported back on 20 November 2012 and Community Scrutiny Committee had resolved to recommend to Licensing Committee that a robust convictions policy be introduced, with some powers delegated to Officers.

Members were advised that Licensing Committee had supported the recommendations of Community Scrutiny Committee in March 2013 and had agreed to further proposals for amendments from Officers for incorporation in the revised Taxi Licensing policy.

The Licensing Committee was invited to consider the responses to public consultation and whether the draft revised policy should be altered before being recommended to Council for approval.

The Licensing Manager detailed the questions that had been asked by the public consultation in respect of the revised policy.  Members were provided with a summary of the consultation responses.

Members were advised that the Authority was now permitted to suspend a taxi driver’s licence where a taxi driver had accrued penalty points on his or her licence.  There was a general discussion regarding the ongoing problem of taxi drivers parking irresponsibly and blocking pavements in Hertford.  Members were advised that a replacement Enforcement Officer had recently been recruited by the Authority.

Councillor Mrs R Cheswright commented on whether notices should be displayed in private hire vehicles explaining that the occupant was not insured if the taxi had not been pre-booked.  The Licensing Manager confirmed that the occupant of a private hire vehicle would not be insured in such situations.

Members requested that the Taxi Licensing Policy be amended so that all private hire vehicles must display a warning notice in respect of this issue.  This was supported.  The Committee recommended the Taxi Licensing Policy, as now revised.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the report be received; and

(B)   the revised Taxi Licensing Policy, subject to the inclusion of wording that ensured that private hire vehicles must display a warning notice stating that occupants were not insured if the private hire Taxi had not been pre-booked, be approved.