Agenda item - Chairman's Communications

20.1    The Chairman addressed the Committee and stated that the Committee had previously made it clear that the Council welcomes its duty to promote equality through all its activities and functions, in particular disability equality. 

As a result of recent research commissioned by the Council (the Halcrow Report) and representations made by stakeholders, an Equalities Review of the taxi service would take place.  The purpose of this was to review the effectiveness of the taxi services in the city in meeting the needs of citizens and to produce an action plan to address any identified shortcomings.

The Chairman highlighted that the focus of this review would be ‘equality.’  She stated there was no intention of re-visiting or duplicating research undertaken to establish Significant Unmet Demand.  The Committee’s concern was to ensure that the service provided does not discriminate or disadvantage any particular group.

The Chairman added that she was confident that with the involvement of disabled people, operators, unions, drivers and representatives from minority groups within the trade, this Review would lead to improvements on what is already regarded as an important community service. The report and recommendations would be available by June 2010.

With regard to revocations and suspensions, since the last Committee Officers had suspended one driver for refusal to carry.

20.2    Councillor West noted that at the last Committee meeting, a similar recommendation had been proposed with a request for review, which was rejected. He asked why this review had come forward now and in this manner. The Chairman replied that there was a considerable amount of information to consider, and the review was wide ranging, taking in several different aspects. It was considered that the most appropriate timescale for Officers would be to aim for the June 2010 meeting.

20.3    Councillor Kitcat asked who had called for the report, as it had not been a recommendation of the Committee. The Chairman replied that Licensing Officers had proposed this course of action following concerns raised at the previous Committee.

20.4    Councillor Watkins noted that there need to be Member involvement in the review to ensure to was conducted properly and did not leave Officers open to criticism.

20.5    Councillor Mrs Theobald added that relevant stakeholders needed to be included in any consultations as well.

20.6    Councillor Older asked if the review was being conducted by Equalities Officers and Mr Nichols replied that the review would be led by the Head of Equalities and Inclusion, and that he was happy to offer advice or help in this regard. He added that the review would include all elements of the trade, relevant stakeholders and Members.