Issue - meetings

To consider and approve the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2024-2029 following consultation.

The Committee considered a report on the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2024-2029 following consultation. The Principal Licensing Officer outlined the changes to the policy and advised that there had been seven comments received.

The Committee queried whether there were many Taxi’s operating in Spelthorne that were near the ten year age limit. The Principal Licensing Officer advised that while there were some, renewal of licenses for those vehicles was done on a case-by-case basis and depended on how well maintained the vehicle was. In certain cases licenses for older vehicles may only be renewed for six months.

The Committee asked whether there was a plan in place to enable drivers to charge electric vehicles at taxi ranks. The Sustainability and Flood Risk Officer advised that it was being considered as part of the Council’s Infrastructure Strategy.

The Committee requested clarification on the dates by which only electric vehicles would be given new licenses and were advised that it would be for any new licenses from 01 October 2028. A petrol or diesel vehicle applying for a license on 30 September 2028 would be able to be used up until 2043.

The Committee asked about the removal of the tinted glass requirement and queried if a driver wanted to use tinted glass whether it would be allowed. The Principal Licensing Officer advised that it would only be allowed if it was factory fitted glass.

Councillor Weerasinghe arrived 19:22 and was not permitted to vote on this item.

The Committee resolved to:

1. approve the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2024-2029 following consultation

2.    recommend to Council for the scheme of delegations to include the Chair of Licensing with the Senior Environmental Health Manager to make minor amendments to the policy.

To consider approval of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2024-2029 for consultation.

The Principal Licensing Officer presented the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy prior to it undergoing a four-week consultation period by the Taxi trade.

The Principal Licensing Officer explained the Policy had been heavily revised to incorporate the Statutory Standards and Best Practice Guidance issued by the Department for Transport. Views on key changes to CCTV and window tinting had also been sought from key stakeholders, such as Surrey Police. The Principal Licensing Officer also advised the Committee that the following wording required adding to the draft policy: “For new vehicles between the policy being adopted and 30 September 2025, if the vehicle is not ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) compliant then a 10 year age limit for non-wheelchair accessible and 12 year age limit for wheelchair accessible will apply.”

The Committee was provided with a list of significant changes to the policy, which included:

-       A revision of the emissions policy

-       Relaxation to Window Tinting requirements

-       Changes to requirements on DBS checks

-       Removal of requirement to carry a first aid kit and fire extinguisher

-       New training requirements including refresher training (disability awareness training, safeguarding training, child sexual abuse and exploitation training, county lines training)

The Committee debated whether the policy should be amended to remove references to the London Ultra Low Emission Zone compliance and instead reference European Emissions Standards. The Committee noted that references to ULEZ compliance were in line with neighbouring authorities in Surrey, and were more familiar to members of the public. The Committee suggested that references to ULEZ in the policy be footnoted with European Emissions Standards, and this was agreed.

The Committee also debated the removal of the requirement for taxis to carry a first aid kit and fire extinguisher. The Principal Licensing Officer explained that regular inspections indicated that these were rarely used and if the Licensing Authority required them to be carried, training on their use would also be required at a cost to the taxi industry. The Committee noted that drivers could still carry them voluntarily. The Committee voted on whether the requirement to carry a first aid kit and fire extinguisher should be removed from the policy, and resolved by majority to agree its removal.

The Committee resolved to approve the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2024-2029 for consultation subject to the inclusion of the additional wording raised at the meeting.