Agenda and minutes

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest received.

Purpose: To consider the draft policy which has been prepared in response to the Department for Transport’s guidance on “Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards”, and updated revised best practice guidance issued by the Department for Transport on the 17 November 2023.

The Committee/Commission considered a report (Agenda Item 3) concerning Draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. Mr Mark Groves introduced the report.

Councillor Martha Vickers queried whether the Licensing Team should extend the consultation to groups involved with special needs and environmental concerns. Mr Groves confirmed that the consultation could be extended to special needs groups and that West Berkshire Council’s (The Council) climate strategy was already considered within the policy.

Councillor Vickers questioned the environmental standards taxi drivers would have to adhere to. Mr Groves explained that all taxis will be expected to conform to euro six standards and that drivers could not be forced to adopt electric vehicles due to their expensive and limited nature.

Councillor Stephanie Steevenson stated that the Learning Disability Partnership Board could be consulted, however they did not cover physical disabilities.

Councillor Billy Drummond asked whether it could be made mandatory for the taxi trade to ask whether the passenger had any special needs and Mr Groves stated the Licensing Team would add it in.

Councillor Drummond questioned how many taxi drivers failed the knowledge test after six months and Ms Vikki Rigden stated this was a threshold that would be added with the new policy with drivers to be expected to mostly rely on their knowledge of multiple areas.

Councillor Phil Barnett put to officers that it would be beneficial to send reminders to the invested parties about the consultation to encourage greater engagement. Ms Rigden explained that the Licensing Team could send out reminders for the consultation.

Councillor Clive Taylor questioned whether CCTV should be mandatory in taxis. Mr Groves explained that it was not mandatory in West Berkshire, however it was being considered.

In accordance with Section 10.7 of Part 10 of the Constitution the Vice-Chairman proposed to suspend standing orders to allow the Taxi Trade to speak, and this was seconded by Councillor Langford.

Councillors noted several typographical errors within the appendix.

The proposal was put to vote and passed.

*Standing Orders Suspended*

The Taxi Trade addressed the Committee. This representation can be viewed on the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekKDquTQujE&t=340s

Councillor Drummond proposed to reinstate standing orders which was seconded by Councillor Langford. The proposal was put to a vote and duly passed.

*Standing Orders Reinstated*

The Vice-Chairman addressed the Committee regarding the decision to approve the draft policy document for consultation noting the grammatical errors within the document.

Mr Groves stated that the document had been reviewed and approved by the legal department of the Council, and he was satisfied that it could proceed to consultation. MG noted that any identified errors could be rectified before the consultation period began.

Councillor David Marsh expressed that the document should not be delayed further and should go out for consultation, allowing the trade and other stakeholders to voice their concerns and suggestions.

Councillor Taylor agreed, noting that while he had observed typos and some repetition, he found the document understandable and supported its release for consultation.

Councillor Barnett reiterated the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.