Agenda item

The Committee considered a report and the impact of amending the Council’s Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Licensing Policy (‘the Policy’) with regards to mandatory CCTV in licensed vehicles, limits on vehicle emissions and limits on the maximum age of licensed vehicles.

The report also requested that members approve the undertaking of a consultation exercise on the proposed amendments to the Policy (Appendix 20 of the existing policy) to update the CCTV specifications to those shown at Appendix B of the report, to ensure that they are fit for purpose and up to date.

In addition the report also requested that members determine which, if any,

further amendments to the policy should be part of a consultation with the

licensed trade and members of the public. The consultation responses will

then be presented to the committee to determine any changes to the policy

and how the amendments will be implemented. 

It was agreed through the Chair, that each recommendation within the report would be considered in turn and members could ask questions they may have.

Recommendation (a) consultation should be undertaken regarding the proposed amended CCTV specifications shown at Appendix B.

Discussion took place with regard to who would be consulted and how far reaching that consultation would be. It was reported that consultation would be far and wide with a strong push on public engagement. Councillor Ian Pearson requested that the RNIB be included in the consultation to ensure alternative formats of the policy are produced for individuals with reading difficulties.

In relation to CCTV, it was noted that a number of authorities were capable of providing audio information, it was asked how Doncaster would fit in with the rest of South Yorkshire. Members were reminded that this was a consultation exercise and a report would come back to Committee at a later date for approval. However, it was advised that the Statutory Standards document recommends that all authorities undertake consultation based on their own area.

The Committee were also assured that safeguarding was in place and if an authority raised any concerns with a Hackney Carriage & Private Hire operating within their area, those concerns were shared with the relevant licensing Authority responsible and an outcome would be reached.

In terms of the Safeguarding course for drivers, it was asked whether this was mandatory. It was reported that although this was not part of the report, the Licensing Officer stated that to his knowledge any drivers who had not been able to attend the course due to covid restrictions had now attended the course.

Recommendation (b) - consultation should be undertaken regarding a

proposed revision to the policy to require that all Doncaster licensed Hackney

Carriage & Private Hire vehicles are required to be fitted with a CCTV system

which meets or exceeds the specifications set by the authority (APPENDIX C)

Councillor Ian Pearson welcomed this revision. However highlighted the need to gather as much evidence as possible locally, regionally and nationally.

It was suggested and agreed that a draft of the consultation document be brought back to Committee prior to going out for full consultation.

Recommendation (c) - consultation should be undertaken regarding a

proposed revision to the policy to require that all Doncaster licensed Hackney

Carriage & Private Hire vehicles are subject to a limit on permitted emissions

levels as set by the authority (APPENDIX D)

Councillor Charlie Hogarth asked a question with regard to Euro 5 Diesel and Euro

5a Diesel and what the difference was between the two. It was reported that

this information had been put in directly from the website and it was thought

that any reference to Euro 5 diesel should in fact be Euro 5a Diesel.

Councillor Ian Pearson raised a question with regard to future proofing and the Bus Policy being similar to taxis with regard to the date for the removal of diesel engines. He asked if the Department for Transport issued new guidelines, would a report need to come back to Committee for approval. It was stated that the report provides an example at D3 which is based on local policy. However it was stated that if any national guidance was presented the Council would comply by that date.

Recommendation (d) - no amendment to the existing policy is required regarding the age limit of licensed vehicles and that the authority’s position remains that there is no age limit.

Members were advised of the current safeguards in place for the servicing of licensed vehicles and were assured that all vehicles were compliant. It was felt that there was no reason why older vehicles could not still be used.

A question was raised with regard to Limousines and how these were treated. It was reported that majority of Limousines were licensed by the Department for Transport and Doncaster do not have any licensed limousines.

In terms of Classic Cars that are 40 years old, these are unable to meet the Euro Emissions, Councillor David Nevett asked where the operator of these vehicles can go to enable them to use the vehicle. In response, it was advised that there are exemptions for specialist vehicles and it may come from National guidance similar to tax exemptions. Councillor Nevett also went on to state that vehicles over 40 years were not required to undertake an MOT, he asked how exemptions may work with regard to this. It was recognised that an MOT was a requirement by law. However, in  terms of vehicles that are 40+ years mechanical testing is still undertaken.

The Committee were presented with information with regard to recommendations (e) and (f). No questions were raised by Committee Members.

            RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee agree to the following:-

            (a)       that information contained within this report evidences that consultation      should be undertaken regarding the proposed amended CCTV specifications shown at Appendix B with the inclusion of the RNIB as a         consultee;

(b)        that the information shown at Appendix C evidences that consultation         should be undertaken regarding a proposed  revision to the policy to            require that all Doncaster licensed Hackney Carriage & Private Hire    vehicles are required to be fitted with a CCTV system which meets or exceeds the specifications set by the authority;

(c)        that the information shown at Appendix D evidences that consultation         should be undertaken regarding a proposed revision to the policy to       require that all Doncaster licensed Hackney Carriage & Private Hire          vehicles are subject to a limit on permitted emissions levels as set by the       authority;

(d)       that no amendment to the existing policy is required regarding the age        limit of licensed vehicles and that the authority’s position remains that          there is no age limit;

(e)       that members note the information at Appendix F showing the          national statistics for Driver, Vehicle and Operator licenses in       England; and

(f)        that members approve the undertaking of a 12 week consultation    exercise with respect to the proposals contained within           recommendations (a) to (c) above and in due course the outcome of the consultation and final recommendations be reported back to the             Licensing Committee. The draft consultation document be brought back     to Committee prior to wider circulation