Issue - meetings

Prior to the report’s introduction, Mr Neil Cox addressed the Committee as the Chair of the Maidstone Taxi Association.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report, stating that a public consultation on the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021-2016 had been conducted between 14 January 2021 to 10 March 2021.

The Committee were informed that the Government would likely implement further HMRC checks for drivers, but that a date could not be given. The policy would need to be updated as a result.

There were four responses to the consultation, with the comments provided by the Senior Licensing Officer in response shown in Appendix 2 to the report. It was noted that the majority of the comments were from the Licensing Partnership Manager and Mr Cox. Further investigation into alternative garage choices for compliance testing and vehicle specifications would be investigated as part of a future review into a carbon neutral taxi policy. The significance of establishing an implementation date for a carbon neutral taxi policy was highlighted.

During the debate, it was felt that greater flexibility in relation to medical certificates, tinted windows and compliance testing locations was needed. In response to questions, the Contentious Team Leader confirmed that whilst there was a perception of safety through not having tinted windows on a vehicle, there was no known evidence to suggest that tinted windows negatively affected the passenger’s safety.

Several Members expressed support for delaying the implementation date of 2023 for carbon neutral vehicles, in part due to the impact of Covid-19 and to prevent greater barriers of entry to the trade. It was felt that the Committee should have been consulted on the sections of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, that was agreed by the Policy and Resources Committee, that fell under the Committees remit. 

It was confirmed that the administrative changes necessary in amending the medical certification timescales may be delayed but would be implemented as soon as practicably possible.

The Committee expressed their thanks to the Officers for the work undertaken.

RESOLVED: That;

1.  The Policy and Resources Committee be requested to consult the Committee on any biodiversity and climate change matter that falls within the Committees remit;

2.  The Communities, Housing and Environment Committee be recommended to approve the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2021-2026, attached at Appendix 2 to the report, subject to the following amendments:

a.  Medical certification be required at first licence and then every 5 years from the age of 45 until 65, annually after 65 years of age, with all medical certificates not permitted to be more than 6 months old when produced to the council’; and

b.  Paragraph 23 – Tinted Windows, Appendix 5:A, be removed.

Note: During this item’s consideration the Committee adjourned between 8.40 p.m. to 8.49 p.m.