Mrs Lorraine Neale, the Senior Licensing Officer presented her report on the proposed public consultation on the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy which would run for 6 weeks.

Mrs Neale highlighted the changes made to procedures and processes since the Policy was first published.

In response to questions from Members, Officers responded that:-

·  Taxi Operators must either have their premises or home address in the borough.

·  The Council would not grant a licence to an operator whose premises are located outside the borough of Maidstone unless they had renewed prior to the adoption of the policy under ‘grandfather rights’ provided that the conditions of the licence are fully met and the licence is not allowed to lapse.

·  That the driving assessment test replaced the DSA practical taxi test and wheelchair test or the KCC transport test and has been developed for Maidstone specifically.

RESOLVED:  That

1.  The Committee agree a 6 week consultation on amendments to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy which came into effect on 8^th December 2015.

2.  The draft amended policy along with the results and feedback from the 6 week consultation be reported to the Committee at its June meeting.

3.  The Head of Housing and Community Services make amendments agreed at this Committee in respect of the driving assessment being Maidstone approved and amending the paragraph on page 77 to make it clear that a spare tyre is not mandatory and that delegated authority be given to make any minor amendments to the Policy in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

Voting:  Unanimous