Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lamb, Mitchell and Terry (no substitutes).

No interests were declared at the meeting.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 11^th October 2022 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods, & Environment) that presented the Council’s draft policy on the Use of the National Register of Taxi Licence Revocations and Refusals (the NR3) (Appendix 1) for public consultation to assist in this process. The draft policy will be an Appendix to the policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles Licensing, which is under development. It has been prepared in accordance with the Department of Transport, Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards July 2020 (DfT Guidance) and Local Government Association National Anti-Fraud Network Guidance on adopting the National Register of Taxi Licence Revocations and Refusals (NR3).

Resolved:-

1. That the draft policy on the Use of the National Register of Taxi Licence Revocations and Refusals (the NR3) attached to the submitted report at Appendix 1, be approved for 6-week public consultation.

2. That the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment), in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, be authorised to make amendments to the draft policy following the consultation should it be required.

3. That the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment), in consultation with the Chair of the Licensing Committee, be authorised to make any future amendments to the policy in accordance with statutory guidance, including the use of any alternative databases proposed by the government.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment) that presented a request from the taxi trade that the fare structure of Hackney Carriages (HC) Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) be temporarily amended for a period of one year (from the date of amendment) or until a permanent fare increase is proposed by the trade, accepted by committee and implemented, whichever is sooner. The intention of these changes is to maintain the number of vehicles available to the public by ensuring drivers vehicles are financially viable.

Whilst the Committee minded to approve the request, it was mindful of the impact of the cost of living increases.  It therefore felt that the amendment should be approved initially for 6 months rather than a year. This would enable the situation to be reviewed and the taxi trade to submit another request should it be necessary.

Resolved:-

1. That the request to amend the fare structure of Hackney Carriages (HC) Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) to allow an temporary additional fare of 40p per trip be approved for 6 months and that the revised fare chart set out at Appendix 1 be approved.

2. That any changes to the fare and extra charges structure be duly advertised, implementing the public consultation process.  Any appeals will be heard by the Licensing Committee. In the eventuality that no objections are received it is proposed that the amendments at above are deemed as approved without the need to return to Committee for determination.