Agenda item - Blue Book Review

Report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection (copy attached)

7.1         The Committee considered a report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection which sought to review byelaws, conditions, advice and information for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers, Vehicles and Operators contained in the blue handbook (The Blue Book) The Committee were requested to approve the second edition of the handbook (circulated as an Appendix to the report). It was noted that the most up to date copy of the Blue Book had been circulated to Members immediately prior to the meeting, this later edition included amendments in relation to CCTV and horse drawn vehicles which had been made following consultation with representatives of the trade as represented by the Taxi Forum.

7.2         Councillor Rufus sought clarification in relation to the CCTV spec to be used and how this had been arrived at. Councillor C Theobald stated that that she considered that improvements had been effected to a number of vehicles which made them more easily accessible. Councillor Pidgeon stated that that was not his experience and that further improvements needed to be effected when dealing with those who were partially sighted or blind.

7.3         Councillor West stated that he was aware that the Federation of Disabled People still had concerns in relation to the level and quality of service provided to customers who had a range of disabilities. He was  anxious that this group received reassurance that the Council continued to have dialogue with the trade in  order to address these matters. The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing confirmed that this was so and that these issues had informed the action plan contained at Item 9 on that days agenda.

7.4         Councillor Cobb stated that she found some aspects of the document very repetitive and therefore confusing but it was explained that it was necessary to set out information contained in the Blue Book in this way in as the document set both the council’s policies in granting licences and the conditions which appeared in the licences themselves.

7.5         RESOLVED – That the Committee approves the second edition of the Blue Book handbook as circulated.