Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mulroney and Woodley (no substitutes).

There were on declarations of interest at this meeting.

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 16 January 2023, be confirmed as a correct record

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director (Environment and Place) presenting the results of a consultation with the Southend Licensing Taxi Drivers Association (SLTDA) for an increase in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle fares and charges.

The Committee asked a number of questions which were responded to by officers.

Resolved:

1. That the changes to the fare chart structure be duly advertised, implementing the public consultation process.

2. That the revised fare chart set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, subject to consideration of any objections to the statutory advertisement of the proposals by the Licensing Committee and to extend the temporary fuel surcharge until the change is implemented, be approved.

3. That the proposed changes to the fare chart be presented back to the Licensing Committee for consideration where there are objections to the statutory advertisement.

The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director (Environment and Place) presenting the results of a consultation regarding permitting Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles with rear door access to be used as Hackney Carriage Vehicles.

The Committee asked a number of questions which were responded to by officers.

Resolved:

1. That condition 2.2.1 of Hackney Carriage Vehicle conditions be amended from ‘Any vehicle shall, according to the manufacturer’s specification, have the following: Rear Seat accommodation for at least three persons with a minimum of 43.18cm (17 inches) per person’ to read:

‘Any vehicle shall according to the manufacturer’s specification, have the following: Rear Seat accommodation for at least three persons with a minimum of 43.18cm (17 inches) per person with the exception of when the vehicle is carrying a passenger in a wheelchair which gains access via the rear door of the vehicle.’

2. That condition 2.2.4 of Hackney Carriage Vehicle conditions from ‘No seat shall need to be removed or tilted before a passenger can enter or exit the vehicle’ to read:

‘No seat shall need to be removed or tilted before a passenger can enter or exit the vehicle, with the exception of when the vehicle is carrying a passenger in a wheelchair which gains access via the rear door of the vehicle.’

3. That the following condition be added to section 3 of conditions (general conditions for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles which reads:

‘At such time when Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles are carrying a passenger in a wheelchair which gains access via the rear door of the vehicle, that vehicle shall be exempt from conditions 2.2.1 and 2.2.4 above.’