Agenda item

The Assistant Director (Localities) submitted a report regarding the Review of the Hackney Carriage Age Policy. The report which was summarised by the Licensing Unit Manager, reminded members of the decision of the Licensing and Safety Panel on 8 May 2014:

1.     That the “exceptional condition” criteria be re-introduced for Hackney Carriages at 10 years and as an incentive to encourage proactive maintenance and provide for additional testing requirements where vehicles fall below acceptable standards, as set out in 5.0 of the report.

2.     That further to (1) above, existing licence holders be allowed a 3 year transitional period should they have made financial plans in respect of their vehicle to allow them to be licensed subject to the ”5 fault rule”

The transitional period of three years ended on 1 June 2017. A notification letter was sent to all Hackney Carriage vehicle proprietors with Bury licences to advise them of the situation. The letter also referred to the reintroduction of the exceptional condition criteria for vehicles over 10 years old and the requirement that vehicles that are tested must meet the criteria in order to be re-licensed.

On 15 June 2017 the Licensing and Safety Panel had resolved to defer implementation of the “exceptional condition” criteria until a further report was considered.

The Chair invited questions and comments upon the report and its recommended options from the members of the public present and in particular Mr Oakes (The Hackney Drivers Association Ltd), Mr Bridge (of A2Z Licensing) and thirteen Hackney Carriage licence holders.

Mr Bridge representing the Hackney Drivers Association addressed the meeting and explained the current state of the Hackney Carriage trade in Bury and the issues licence holders have with the current arrangements for testing vehicles. He stated that the 10 year policy proposed would apply to half of the vehicles operating within Bury and that the exceptional condition criteria may limit the number of Hackney Carriage vehicles that are wheelchair accessible in line with the Council policy. He went on to say that Hackney Carriage drivers also worked on private hire operator systems and may decide to not continue with their Hackney Carriage licence for financial reasons. Also, the exceptional condition policy did not allow for fair wear and tear as part of vehicle daily use by the public on the vehicle upholstery. Other considerations not referred to in the policy were acts of vandalism and accidents resulting in damage to vehicles. In view of the use of larger more robust vehicles as Hackney Carriages that also provide wheelchair accessibility, the Licensing and Safety Panel were requested to introduce a 15 year age policy.

The Chair invited comments and questions from the other members of the public present and then invited input from members of the Panel.

Delegated decision:

That after carefully considering the written report and the comments made by and on behalf of the Hackney Carriage DriversIt was resolved unanimously:

That approval be given to continue with the current licensing and testing policy in relation to Hackney Carriage vehicles up to 10 years and then require the vehicle to be subject to the five fault rule.