Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

Councillor Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item

The Committee considered a briefing note of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator concerning two issues from the recent review of the requirements and processes for taxi drivers, vehicles and operators in Coventry. A report on the review had been considered by Cabinet at their meeting on 27^th November, 2018 and a copy of the report was set out at an appendix to the briefing note. The matters under consideration were the proposals to consult on a move away from age based vehicle licensing restrictions to a requirement based on emissions and the implementation of new conditions of licence to allow Pedicabs and Tuk Tuks to be licensed. Councillor Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services attended the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The briefing note indicated that the City Council kept its arrangements for licensing taxi drivers, vehicles and operators in Coventry under regular review in order to ensure that only ‘fit and proper’ individuals held a licence in Coventry; licensing processes were up to date and accessible and that taxi services in Coventry met the needs of customers.

At their meeting in November, Cabinet had approved the recommendations set out in the report which focussed on the following five proposals:

Part 1 – To update and replace the existing Private Hire Operator Conditions of Licence to incorporate requirements around the use of automated systems including the provision to grant licences to operators based outside of Coventry, subject to specific requirements

Part 2 - To implement changes to current processes for new and existing driver and vehicle licence holders following consultation with key stakeholders

Part 3 – To consult on a move away from age based vehicle licensing restrictions to a requirement based on emissions

Part 4 - To implement new Conditions of Licence to allow Pedicabs and Tuk Tuks to be licensed

Part 5 - Approve the continuation of the existing limit on the number of traditional hackney carriage vehicle licences at 859 in accordance with the recommendations in the recent hackney carriage vehicle unmet demand survey.

The Committee had been asked to consider Parts 3 and 4. The proposal to move away from age based vehicle licensing to a requirement based on emissions was in support of Local Air Quality Management requirements. 

Members questioned the officer on a number of issues and responses were provided, matters raised included:

·  Concerns about drivers being licensed by other Local Authorities and then operating in the city

·  Support for the standards and requirements operated by the Council

·  A request that Coventry drivers be allowed to drive other vehicles not on the list and be allowed more flexibility

·  A concern about the short vehicle modification date

·  Further information about the Coventry frame and the cap on the number of Hackney Carriage vehicle licences

·  Concerns about the financial difficulties facing Coventry drivers in light of the requirement to have a new vehicle by 2024, particularly in light of the competition from Uber drivers

·  Information of the package of measures to help the trade

·  Concerns about drivers using the public highway to maintain and service their vehicles

·  Further information about electric vehicles

·  The suggestion that there should be national standards based on the standards operated by the City Council or a regional policy

·  Concerns about the proposal that Tuk Tuks be pre-booked when the expectation is that they will be used by tourists visiting the city, especially in 2021.

RESOLVED that:

(1) The proposals to move away from age based vehicle licensing restrictions to a requirement based on emissions as set out in paragraphs 1.3.1 to 1.3.6 of the Cabinet report be noted.

(2) The conditions set out in Appendix A of the Cabinet report regarding vehicle conditions for licensing Pedicabs and Tuk Tuks be noted.

(3) The Cabinet Member for City Services be requested to seek support for a regional taxi licensing policy based on the current standards operated by Coventry Council.