MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

LICENSING COMMITTEE

24 JANUARY 2013

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF DEMOCRATIC SERVICES

Report prepared by Neil Harris 

1.           DRESS CODE FOR HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS

1.1        Issue for Decision

1.1.1    To consider at the request of some Members the introduction of a dress code for hackney carriage and private hire drivers.

1.2        Recommendation of Head of Democratic Services

1.2.1   That the Head of Democratic Services consult with the Hackney Carriage Association, the representatives of Private Hire Operators and individual drivers about the introduction of a voluntary dress code on the basis of the draft as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   The issue of a dress code for hackney carriage and private hire drivers has been raised by some Members.  It was considered that the current standard of dress of some drivers was inappropriate on occasion with some of the drivers attired in unsuitable T-shirts, shorts and footwear.  This was considered to be unacceptable particularly as these drivers are often the first point of contact for people coming into Maidstone.

1.3.2   The Council has not received any specific complaints but has received a number of comments about the dress of the Hackney Carriage drivers .  Additionally, this issue has been raised by Members of the Committee who may have received complaints.

1.3.3   The Committee has recently considered the Law Commission’s consultation paper on hackney carriage and private hire services in which it is proposed that new conditions for hackney carriage and private hire will be set nationally. These may include a dress code or give the Council an option to add it as part of its own local provisions but it is quite possible that for private hire it could relate to safety only.  However it is not certain when this will be completed but it is expected that draft legislation will be produced in 2014.  Members are also referred to legal advice regarding the introduction of a dress code set out in the exempt appendix to the report.

1.3.4   Therefore, it is proposed that the Council seeks to agree a voluntary code with the Hackney Carriage Association, representatives of the Private Hire Operators and individual drivers for adoption by the Council.  Having a voluntary agreement with the Association and the Operators is considered to put the Council in a better position to achieve a more appropriate standard of dress.

1.3.5   It is proposed a draft dress code as attached to this report is consulted on with the Hackney Carriage Association, Private Hire Operators and individual drivers and that a report is brought back to the Committee on the outcome of these discussions.

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   It could be decided not to proceed with any action in this matter, which would do nothing to improve the current standards of dress by some drivers which were the cause of concern.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   Introducing a dress code to ensure a consistent standard supports the council’s objective of corporate and customer excellence of a service provided in the borough.

1.6        Risk Management

1.6.1   There are no significant risk management issues arising from this report.

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1    

1.7.2   The legal implications are detailed in the Exempt Appendix.

1.8        Relevant Documents

1.8.1   Appendices

1.8.2   Appendix 1 – Draft dress code.

1.8.3   Background Documents  

1.8.4   None

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT? X     Yes                                               No     If yes, when did it first appear in the Forward Plan?   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..     This is a Key Decision because: ………………………………………………………………………..   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….       Wards/Parishes affected: …………………………………………………………………………………..   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..