Agenda item

The Director of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report that invited discussion in respect of ideas aimed at raising standards among the licensed taxi trade.

Members were reminded that Licensing Committee had agreed to consider recommendations from Community Scrutiny Committee and further proposals for amendment from Officers, for incorporation into a Taxi Licensing Policy.

Community Scrutiny Committee had recommended that Officers should explore the idea of having a ‘gold standard’ driver accreditation scheme aimed at generally raising and maintaining high local standards amongst the licensed taxi trade.

Members were advised that a number of taxi drivers had approached Officers to enquire whether there was any way to restrict taxi driver numbers, as there was a reduced amount of work for them at present.  Officers were aware that, as of 1 April 2013, there had been a net increase of 1 taxi vehicle.

The Licensing Officer stated that an accreditation scheme might have a number of elements and taxi drivers could achieve accreditation by fulfilling a number of different criteria.  These criteria could include a pass in specified modules of the CQF or equivalent NVQ qualification in road passenger driving for hackney carriage and private hire drivers.

In response to a query from Councillor K Crofton, the Licensing Manager advised that there were no other Local Authority examples of a taxi driver accreditation scheme in Hertfordshire.  A number of taxi drivers were in attendance and they raised the following points:

·              Both private hire and hackney carriage drivers must pass the knowledge test before working as a taxi driver;

·              Taxi Marshalls should be Enforcement Officers so that a code of conduct can be enforced in order to maintain high standards amongst taxi drivers;

·              There should be set standards  for taxi drivers’ vehicles as some cars were being used which were unsuitable for carrying the driver plus 4 passengers;

·              East Herts Council should raise the bar in terms of what was required in respect of general expertise amongst East Herts taxi drivers;

·              Taxi drivers should all have access to CCTV to deter recurrences of a recent attack on a taxi driver in Stanstead Abbotts.

The Licensing Manager stated that it was required that all taxis had a certain capacity of engine or minimum Brake Horse Power, and a minimum rear seat width.  Members were advised that London style black taxis were generally less comfortable than a modern saloon car.

Members were advised however, that East Herts Council did not prevent London style taxis operating in the District.  The Authority was not in a position to restrict the number of taxi drivers providing that applicants had met the required standards. 

East Herts Council was also not permitted to restrict the number of private hire vehicles.  The knowledge test was not expected of private hire drivers as these were co-ordinated by a central controller, whereas Hackney Carriage drivers were expected to know how to drive anywhere within the District.

The Licensing Manager advised that the Authority had subsidised 23 CCTV camera systems.  Members were advised that there was insufficient funding for the provision of further systems but some taxi drivers had purchased their own equipment.

Members were also advised that East Herts Council had released CCTV footage to the police where a taxi driver had been recently attacked.  Officers had been issued with a crime reference number relating to this incident.

Councillor K Crofton commented on whether a representative of East Herts taxi drivers should regularly attend Licensing Committee meetings.  Councillor E Buckmaster stated that a public forum might be a sensible suggestion to address some of the concerns of taxi drivers.  The Chairman thanked the taxi drivers present for their very useful feedback.  Members received the report.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be received;

(B)   the suggested points from taxi drivers, as now detailed, be considered for incorporation into the taxi policy; and

(C)   joint working with Broxbourne and East Herts Community Volunteer Service (CVS), with a view to establishing a driver assessment for use as part of a taxi driver accreditation scheme, be approved.