Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Buck, Cowan and Dear (no substitutes).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(a)  Councillor McDonald – Agenda Item Nos 4, 5 and 6 – Non-pecuniary interest: Supports young and vulnerable people; and

(b)   Councillor Mitchell – Agenda Item Nos 4, 5 and 6 – Non-pecuniary interest:  Works with Essex County Council Education.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 10^th July 2019 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) concerning an amendment to the licensing conditions in relation to taxi drivers (including hackney carriage, private hire and dual licence holders) to include new conditions requiring new applicants and existing licence holders undergo safeguarding training.

The Committee welcomed the proposal but queried whether the training session would cover adult exploitation or whether this would be possible to include this additional requirement.  The Council’s Group Manager Regulatory Services undertook to check the content of the session and would ensure this subject was included.  She also undertook to circulate details of the training provider to the Committee.

The Committee was also assured that a review reporting mechanism would be incorporated to evaluate the impact of the training.

Resolved:-

That all hackney carriage, private hire and dual licence holders be required undergo public safety awareness training through the adoption of the following conditions:

1.  The Licensee shall undergo public safety awareness training as required by the Licensing Authority. Such training will be determined by the Licensing Authority and a minimum of 6 weeks’ notice of attendance shall be provided to the Licensee.

2.  All new applicants shall be required to undergo public safety awareness training, determined by the Licensing Authority, before a licence is issued.

The Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) that sought approval to commence consultation on the draft Medical Exemption Criteria for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.  The Exemption Criteria details the process for applying for medical exemptions available to taxi and private hire drivers, which respect to passengers with disabilities under the Equalities Act 2010 ‘the Act’.

Resolved:-

That the consultation process on the draft Medical Exemption Criteria for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers and Operators to commence with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s licenced taxi and private hire trade be authorised.

The Committee considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) regarding a request from Southend Licensed Taxi Drivers Association to initiate a consultation with Southend on Sea Borough Council’s licenced taxi and private hire drivers on options for an increase in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles fares and charges, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Resolved:-

That the consultation process on four options with respect to fares and charges for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles with Southend on Sea Borough Council’s licensed hackney carriage and private hire drivers be authorised.