13 MLR/21/7 NEW HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE LICENSING POLICY PDF 222 KB
Report from the Licensing Team attached.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
13.1 Kay Sanders, Licensing Officer presented Paper MLR/21/7 to the Committee, reporting back to the Committee the outcome of a full targeted and public consultation, which ran between the 20 August 2021 and 16 September 2021, in respect of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy for the controlled zone of Mid Suffolk District Council.
13.2 Following the publication of the new Statutory Standards for Taxi’s and Private Hire Vehicles, Councils are required to review the recommendations from the Department for Transport (DFT) and consult on any changes to their current policies.
13.3 The Licensing Officer provided the Committee with an update regarding EV taxis.
13.4 The Licensing Officer responded to Members’ questions on issues including: the provision of charging points for electric vehicles, whether drivers got MOT reminders, training courses for drivers, and whether officers would be able to attend the training courses.
13.5 Councillor Dave Muller proposed that the recommendation contained in Paper MLR/21/7 be approved. Councillor Paul Ekpenyong seconded this proposal.
13.6 By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED:
That the post consultation draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy, attached as Appendix A, be approved.
It was RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:
That the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy document be adopted.
5 MLR/21/2 NEW HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE LICENSING POLICY PDF 219 KB
Report from the Licensing Team attached.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
5.1 Kay Sanders, Licensing Officer presented Paper MLR/21/2 to the Committee. The report referred to the review of the current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy for the controlled zone of Mid Suffolk District Council.
5.2 Officers had undertaken a root and branch review of the current Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Policy in accordance with the new Statutory Standards for Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles. Having reviewed the current policy, officers were proposing a new Policy for consultation, as set out in Appendix A.
5.3 It was noted that any typographical errors would be corrected during the consultation process.
5.4 The Chairman and the Licensing Officers responded to Councillor Stringer’s questions regarding incentives for EV taxis and plans for the provision of EV charging points in Stowmarket. Councillor Stringer commented that, considering the climate change emergency, there should be a plan for assisting drivers to migrate to EV taxis included in the new Policy.
5.5 The Licensing Officers responded to Members’ questions in respect of the wearing of face coverings in taxis and the provision of EV vehicle charging points.
5.6 Councillor Brewster proposed that the recommendation contained in Paper MLR/21/2 be approved. Councillor Flatman seconded the proposal.
5.7 On the casting vote of the Chair,
It was RESOLVED:
That the Committee approves the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Policy document attached as Appendix A for consultation. Further, that the relevant officers proceed with a 28-day consultation period with the licensed trade, general public and other relevant stakeholders.