Issue - meetings

The committee received the report of the Business Compliance Officer providing an update on the development of the council’s Taxi and Private Hire Strategy, the current status of the strategy and the proposed next steps.

The Business Compliance Officer introduced the report. The taxi and private hire strategy considered issues wider than those within the remit of the Licensing Committee. The report was for information and feedback and the final strategy would be brought back before being approved by Cabinet. There would be substantial public and trade consultation throughout the process beginning in November 2020 with the taxi and private hire trade. 

The purpose of the strategy was to bring together the policy and procedure that impact the taxi trade to ensure there is an integrated transport network. The strategic aims were contained within the strategy and did not contain specific outcomes as these were for individual departments to determine.

The committee noted that it was important that the strategy be implemented quickly and that the trade represented some parts of the community more than others and had suffered a considerable impact from COVID-19. Officers confirmed that there would be a full equality impact assessment undertaken following any review.

Turning to the developing technology in this area, the committee were advised that a fully-electric wheelchair-accessible taxi was now available but the cost was likely to be prohibitive. The strategy was intended to ensure the trade was sustainable and drivers were able to invest in their businesses, especially given the considerable recent pressures.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the committee notes the contents of the report.