Agenda item

The Service Director Legal Services will provide an update on progress in relation to issues raised by the taxi demand survey.

The Service Director Core Services submitted a report providing an update on progress in relation to issues raised by the taxi demand survey undertaken and reported to Board in December 2017.

The Board was reminded of both the positive and negative findings of the survey which, amongst other things identified:

·         there was a highly significant unmet demand mainly in the early hours of the morning at weekends

·         There was a shortage of private hire vehicles at peak times which was increasing the pressure on other private hire and hackney carriage vehicles

·         The trade saw the requirements for new drivers as being too onerous (although the Licensing Service considered that these were necessary in order to maintain the standard of suitably qualified and trained drivers)

·         There appeared to be a lack of vehicles working unsociable hours but any increase in the number of vehicles would not guarantee additional vehicles being available at peak times

Since the survey results had been issued the Council had been working closely with the Trade to try to resolve the issues identified.  Regular meetings of the Taxi Liaison Group had been held when discussions had focused on the need to encourage drivers to work during unsociable hours and on the recruitment of new drivers who might be willing to work at such times.

In relation to the entry requirements, Licensing Officers had made available a theory test guidance document to help educate and support new applicants into the Trade.

It was noted that a further survey was to be undertaken within 12 months of the original survey so that an assessment could be made of the changes that had occurred and to confirm if issues identified had been addressed.  Based on the findings of that review, a decision would then have to be made as to whether the limit on the number of Hackney Carriage Vehicles should remain, increased or removed entirely.

In the ensuing discussion, the following matters were highlighted:

·         There was a general understanding of why drivers may not want to work unsociable hours but concern that the standard of those drivers should be maintained and improved.  In response to this, the Licensing Officer

o   outlined the way in which the Theory Test Guidance Document had been developed and used.  Multiple test papers were available at the time of the test and from December 2018 it was hoped that all tests would be undertaken electronically so that each applicant undertaking the test would get an individualised test paper.

o   explained the importance of addressing the unsociable hours unmet demand issue, of ensuring that public safety was maintained and that ‘customers’ were taken home from the town centre in an appropriate and timely manner

·         It was acknowledged that there were some relatively new Members on the Board and it was important that they received a copy of the original Unmet Demand Survey report

Arising out of the discussion the following issues were raised:

·         Members were encouraged, wherever possible, to attend enforcement events so that they could see, at first hand, the work of officers in the very important aspect of their work; and

·         Members had previously requested, and the Board noted the importance of, training on all aspects of licensing.  The asked if an appropriate training course could, therefore, be provided as a matter of urgency.

RESOLVED:

(i)             that the report be received; and

(ii)          That a copy of the December 2017 Unmet Demand Survey report be circulated to all Members of the Board; and

(iii)         That further training be provided for members of the Board , and particularly for the ‘newer’ Members, on all aspects of Licensing.