Agenda item

To seek approval to the adoption of the revised North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy at Appendix 1 to the report which has been developed following the conclusion of a six-week consultation period; and that the Policy comes into effect on the 24 May 2022 save for the Age/Emissions standards.

A report was considered on the review of the North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy following a six-week consultation on a draft policy.

The review of the Policy took into account the statutory taxi and private hire vehicle minimum standards to licensing authorities published by the Department for Transport in July 2020 entitled, ’Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards’ (“the Standards”). The Standards outlined how licensing authorities should carry out their licensing functions in relation to Hackney Carriage (taxis) and Private Hire vehicles, drivers and operators.

A comprehensive six-week consultation process was undertaken commencing on 28 February 2022.  An online survey was developed for responders to make consultation responses as well as written responses. Information was made available on the Engagement Hub in addition to members of the Residents Forum advised of the consultation exercise. The consultation was publicised using press and social media and correspondence to all licensed drivers and operators.

The consultation had included residents, local businesses, Elected Members and members of the trade.  In total, 64 responses were received with 58 made through the online survey and 6 through written responses. The online survey asked for comments about the draft Policy.

The responses were considered with oversight by the Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Protection.

A breakdown of the responses received were included in Appendix 2 to this report.  The responses did not object to the new National Standards that had been introduced being incorporated into the Authority’s revised Policy. Some responses made comments about their impact however not about the revised Policy.

Some comments were received about other areas of the Policy that had not been amended and these have been considered and where appropriate amendments had been made to the Policy. If was not possible at this time to make suggested amendments because further work or additional views were required these suggestions would be considered when the Policy was next updated.

It was anticipated that a number of responses would concern the age standards that were approved by Cabinet in February 2020 and which were to be become part of the Policy on 1 April 2022. Of the 64 responses received, 45 specifically referred to the age standard and requested that it be delayed or removed. Of the 45 responses relating to the age standard section of the Policy, 8 responses were from residents, 8 from Operators and 29 from licensed drivers.

1 response from an Operator was in agreement with the age standards and the importance of an updated vehicle fleet. 

Following consideration of these responses the Policy had been updated and it was proposed that the age standards part of the draft Policy would not be implemented until 1 April 2024 for new vehicle licences and renewals.

It was proposed that the timetable for the implementation of the age standards was as follows: -

(i) From 1 April 2024 no new vehicle licence will be granted for the vehicle unless it is less than 4 years old

(ii) From 1 April 2026 a vehicle licence will not be renewed unless the vehicle is less than 8 years old

(iii) From 1 April 2027 a wheelchair accessible vehicle licence will not be renewed unless the vehicle is less than 8 years old.

All ‘Full electric’ and ‘zero emission at source’ vehicles will be exempt from the age standards set out above.’

The amended draft North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

The key amendments to the final proposed policy included:

·         Introduction of Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check for vehicle proprietors.

·         Requirement of operators to maintain a register of booking staff and confirmation they have had sight of a Basic DBS certificate for such staff.

·         Periods for individuals to be free of convictions to be able to hold a licence have increased in line with the Standards.

·         New Passenger Guidance document.

·         The Authority making a referral to the DBS and the police following refusal/revocation of a driver’s licence where appropriate.

Cabinet considered the following decision options: to accept the recommendations set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report, to not approve the recommendations, or alternatively, instruct officers to make amendments to the Policy and to bring a further report to Cabinet for it to consider those amendments.

Resolved that (1) the adoption of the revised North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

(2)  the Policy come into effect on 24 May 2022, save for the Age/Emissions

standards commencement date for new licensed vehicles being extended by a year from April 2021 to April 2022, and for existing licensed vehicles from April 2023 to April 2024. 

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