Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the report on the mandating of card payment facilities in licensed vehicles. She said that the key purpose of the council’s licensing regimes was to ensure public safety and the proposed policy would help ensure people had more payment options when getting a taxi and confirmed that cash would still be accepted. She said that the taxi trade in East Herts were formally consulted and 96% of responses were positive with 94% already having card payment facilities in their vehicles. She said that policy compliance would be required from 1 April 2024 and there would be a three-month transition period for drivers to source a card payment machine from 1 January 2024.

Councillor Glover-Ward proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported. Councillor Goldspink seconded the proposal.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – That the policy to introduce a requirement to provide card payment facilities in all vehicles licensed by East Herts Council be approved.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth submitted a report on the consideration of mandating card payment facilities in licensed vehicles. She said that the key purpose of the council’s licensing regimes was to ensure public safety and the proposed policy would help ensure people had more payment options when getting a taxi and confirmed that cash would still be accepted. She said that the taxi trade in East Herts were formally consulted and 96% of responses were positive with 94% already having card payment facilities in their vehicles.

The Executive Member said that the Police and Crime Commissioner had previously raised the issue as a safeguarding concern and two other local authorities in Hertfordshire had mandated card payment facilities and it was hoped that it would be introduced county wide.

Councillor Glover-Ward proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported. Councillor Dumont seconded the proposal.

Councillor Wilson said that he worked for the Transport for London who had introduced a similar policy and had no problems. He said he supported the policy.

Councillor Daar said she was pleased to hear that cash was remaining as a payment method.

The motion to support the recommendation having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – To recommend to Council the proposed Policy to introduce a requirement to provide card payment facilities in all vehicles licensed by East Herts Council.