Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on any matters about the work or performance of the Council or the Council’s Services.
Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time if required.
Minutes:
Mr Charles Oakes of the Hackney Drivers’ Association Ltd, addressed the Licensing and Safety Panel in relation to a statement submitted on behalf of the Hackney Drivers of Bury, requesting that the ‘5 fault rule’ policy be withdrawn and replaced with a policy whereby carriages will not be licensed beyond 15 years of age. Mr Oakes also requested more testing stations and a further taxi rank to be located on Market Street.
Mr Oakes stated that is was discriminatory to the Hackney Drivers regarding the 5 fault rule as the Private Hire Drivers were not governed by the same policy.
The Head of Commercial and Licencing, Mr Johnson, reported that Mr Oakes’ statement had been included with the operational report, which had been issued to members of the Licensing and Safety Panel prior to the meeting.
Mr Johnson stated that the issue regarding the 5 fault rule maybe better discussed at the next taxi trade forum which was due to be held on 3 December 2013. However, he reminded the Licensing and Safety Panel Members that a report had previously been considered by the Panel on the 5 fault rule on 10 June 2013, relating to the testing of Hackney Carriage vehicles over 10 years old. The members of the Hackney Drivers’ Association had at that time requested that the 5 fault rule be reconsidered and amended so as to allow vehicles which fail to meet the defined criteria to continue to be licensed subject to other proposals from the trade. These proposals were rejected by the Licensing and Safety Panel at that time, who resolved to amend the 5 fault rule so as to make passing the test more achievable in respect of bodywork and paintwork damage. The Panel also resolved to extend the rule so as to make it applicable to all Hackney Carriages over 6 years old from the date of first registration. Mr Johnson also noted that the rule for the Private Hire trade is that vehicles over 10 years of age must be of ‘exceptional condition’ which he stated was effectively showroom condition.
In relation to the issue of further testing stations, Mr Johnson stated that the members of the Licensing and Safety Panel had agreed to one station on many occasions but this issue could again be considered if members so requested.
Mr Johnson also reported, that in relation to further taxi ranks, it was currently being considered favourably, that for a trial period, a rank would be located outside the Art Picture house on Haymarket Street. There had been some opposition from Greater Manchester Transport regarding this as the rank would be opposite the bus interchange, however, it was hoped that a trial period would ensue. Mr Oakes acknowledged and welcomed the trial of the further rank.
Mr Afzal, a Hackney Carriage driver, stated that he had been driving taxis in Bury for 15 years but that now the trade were suffering under the 5 fault rule and Mr Oakes stated that it had been unanimously agreed at a meeting of the Hackney Drivers, that further action would be taken if the 5 fault rule was not withdrawn.
The Chair, Councillor Jones, stated that all policies are continuously reviewed by Officers and Elected members and further discussion on the 5 fault rule would take place on 3 December at the taxi trade forum, where the issue of the difference between the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire policies would be considered.
A Hackney Carriage Driver addressed the Licensing and Safety Panel regarding the issue of Private Hire vehicles stopping for long periods of time on the Hackney Carriage taxi ranks and plying for trade.
The Chair asked if there was any evidence, i.e. number plates, of these vehicles in which they could be investigated and that it was important to acquire this information.
Mr Oakes stated that he regularly took pictures of these vehicles and reported them to the Licensing office but no action was taken. He stated that the Hackney Carriage taxi drivers needed support and consideration on all the issues raised as they were having a detrimental effect on the drivers and the trade. Councillor Jones explained that all of the issues would be discussed at the taxi trade forum on 3 December 2013. This was agreed by Members.
Mr Gerry Kelly, the Deputy Licensing Officer, stated that Officers regularly go out and check when passengers are dropped off or collected, that there is evidence of pre-booking and pointed out there is little that can be done if the evidence exists.