To review and approve the amended Taxi and Private Hire Policy.

Council considered a report by the chief executive concerning a review of the taxi and private hire policy. The chief executive introduced the report and explained that the policy was being updated to include a number of revisions including mandatory safeguarding training for licence applicants. The training would enable license holders to recognise where there could be signs of safeguarding concerns and know how to report such concerns.

Councillor Barry Durkin proposed and Councillor John Harrington seconded the recommendation in the report.

Those points below were raised by Council in the discussion that followed:

·         It was queried how appeals against the granting of licenses were handled. The solicitor to the council explained that appeals were delegated to officers to consider.

·         It was commented that the estimated cost of undertaking the training was £30 - £50 which was a significant sum and it was queried whether it could be provided free of charge. The chief executive explained that there was a requirement to ensure that licensing was cost-neutral to the Council.

·         There was no reference in the Policy to vehicle fleet and the climate emergency and encouragement to migrate to electric vehicles. The chief executive explained that the current update related to revisions to the policy including safeguarding training. It was a matter for the Council to determine any future changes to the policy.

·         There appeared to be an anomaly in the law which did not require the restraint of children under three in a vehicle if no appropriate restraints were fitted. It was asked whether a bylaw could be introduced to ensure that children under three were restrained. It was further asked how new legislation regarding the restraint of animals was being taken into account. It was explained that a written response would be provided to these queries.

·         It was important that young and vulnerable people were protected from sexual exploitation and trafficking. Taxi drivers would be equipped to recognise the signs of abuse and understand how to report concerns.

The recommendation was put to the vote and was approved by a simple majority of the Council.

RESOLVED: That the policy at appendix 1 is approved.

Councillor Paul Rone returned to the meeting at 11.05 a.m.