Agenda item

Report of the Director of Law and Governance

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Law and Governance which sought approval to consult on the current Statement of Licensing Policy (Taxi & Private Hire) to include changes on Emissions, Age of Vehicles and Best Practice Guidance.

The current Statement of Licensing Policy (Taxi & Private Hire) commenced on 14th September 2022. The Policy is reviewed every 5 years unless a review is required due to legislative changes or emerging issues. The purpose of the Policy was to set out the terms and conditions that will apply to new applicants and those already licensed for the Hackney Carriage & Private Hire trade.

Coventry City Council has a duty under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to carry out its functions as the Licensing Authority.

The Council has a duty under these acts to carry out the following functions:

• Ensure that drivers are ‘fit & proper’.
• Ensure that all licensed vehicles are road worthy and fit for the carriage of fare paying passengers; and
• Protect public safety.

The promotion of these functions is of paramount consideration when determining an application and any conditions attached to an authorisation.

The DfT has national responsibility for Hackney Carriage & Private Hire legislation in England & Wales. The DfT has issued best practice guidance on taxi & private hire vehicle licensing since 2006 to assist local authorities that have responsibility for the regulation of taxi & private hire vehicle trades. This is updated periodically, considering stakeholder views and the way in which the sector operates. The DfT has published non statutory best practice guidance to compliment the statutory standards in 2010 and revised and re-issued this in November 2023, covering a range of issues outside of the remit of the statutory standards.

A review of the Statement of Licensing Policy requires a wide consultation process. In addition to those it must consult by law, the Council has authority to include in the process any individuals or organisations it deems appropriate. The Responsible Authorities (statutory consultees – Chief Officer of Police, Safeguarding Children Board and the Planning Authority) would be consulted on the draft revised Policy.

The report stated that the Council is part of the West Midlands Taxi Licensing Harmonisation Group which aims to create consistent and standardised taxi licensing policies across the region. Following discussions with neighbouring authorities, the Group proposed 1st January 2030 as the date from which new vehicle licence applications will no longer be accepted for vehicles emitting 75g CO2/km or more.

Therefore, the proposal was to amend the current section on emissions in the Policy so that any new and replacement vehicles are required to be either an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (a vehicle that will produce less than 75g CO2/km), produce zero emissions or be zero emission-capable by 1st January 2030.

Additionally, the West Midlands Taxi Licensing Harmonisation Group also explored a regional Emissions Policy with the aim of preventing licensees moving to other local authorities to licence their vehicle, rather than upgrading their vehicle.

RESOLVED that the Committee:

1)  Considers the Statement of Licensing Policy (Taxi and Private Hire) and forwards the following comments as part of the consultation process:

·  Consider spaces at taxi ranks for wheelchair accessible vehicles only.

·  Better signposting for drivers to subscribe to the Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Subscription Service.

·  Update compliance tests for wheelchair accessible hackney carriage vehicles and invite Licensing Officers to attend the Disability Equality Action Partnership (DEAP) for further consultation.