Agenda item

To consider a review of the North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Cabinet considered a report which sought approval to commence public engagement on an updated Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

At its meeting on 1 April 2019, Cabinet had agreed that the North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy should be reviewed.  The report outlined the context in which the review had commenced. The updated Policy would ensure that account was taken of the five principles of the North Tyneside Transport Strategy adopted by Cabinet on 8 May 2017, reflected the policies in the North Tyneside Local Plan and the recently adopted ‘An Ambition for North Tyneside – Regeneration Strategy’.

A revised draft Policy for consultation purposes had been formulated and this was included in Appendix 1 to the report.

As well as updated legislation, the key amendments proposed to the Policy included:

·         Expansion of licensing objectives to include environmental considerations; 

·         Allowing on line applications;

·         Mandatory sign up by drivers/operators to the Disclosure and Barring Service Update Service; and

·         Additional offences to be considered as part of the application process and the period of time that an applicant must be free from certain convictions before an application for a licence was granted.

In addition, it was proposed that consultation questions were asked on several other issues to gauge the views of the trade and wider community on some of the proposed elements of the Policy. These areas included:

·         Use of in-car digital advertisements;

·         Tinted windows when fitted as standard;

·         Amendments to the knowledge test; and

·         Introduction of a new objective - the promotion of environmental sustainability, along with age standards for new, replacement and renewal vehicles with lead in times.

A summary of these amendments was included in Appendix 2 to the report.

It was proposed that a process of public engagement on the proposed updated Policy would commence on 28 October 2019 for 8 weeks.  This would include appropriate engagement through the Engagement Hub with residents and businesses including representatives of the taxi and PHV trade; Regulation and Review Committee; and all Members.

At the conclusion of the consultation period the draft Policy would be brought before Cabinet for its consideration on 24 February 2020.  It was anticipated that the updated Policy would be in place to commence from 1 April 2020.  

The Deputy Mayor commented that officers had been asked to ensure the consultation should be undertaken as wide as possible with residents. 

Cabinet considered the following decision options: either to approve the recommendations as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report, or alternatively, to not approve the recommendations.

Resolved that (1)the Head of Environment, Housing and Leisure be authorised to commence public consultation on the revised draft North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy at Appendix 1 to the report; and

(2)  a further report be submitted to Cabinet at the conclusion of the public

consultation process to seek approval to the adoption of the revised North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

(Reason for decision: To ensure that the existing Policy is refreshed in accordance with the commitment in the North Tyneside Transport Strategy. This will also ensure that the Policy remains transparent, accountable, proportionate and consistent.)