Agenda item - Wheelchair Accessibility Policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire, Drivers, Vehicles and Operators

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

17.1    The Committee considered a report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection setting out progress on the development of a Wheelchair Accessibility Policy for Hackney Carriages and Private Hire, Drivers, Vehicles and Operators.

17.2    Councillor Duncan, the Chair was pleased to note the outcome of the work carried out to date and to note that although not currently a fully worked up policy that the work carried out to date had made significant progress towards that end.

17.3    Councillor Cobb suggested that in the light of discussions which had taken place in relation to the previous item on the agenda the reference to “wheelchair”, in the first line should be removed from the first recommendation in the officer’s report, Members concurred in that view. Members agreed wording is set out in (1) below.

17.4         Councillor Lepper stated that a number of the key issues in respect of this matter had been considered in relation to the previous agenda item and she was pleased to note the progress made to date. However, she considered that the second recommendation should be amended to refer to the need for a full equalities review to be undertaken in order to inform the accessibility policy. Notwithstanding that this would take place in any event following discussion Members agreed wording is set out in (2) below.

17.5    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee notes progress being made in the development of an Accessibility Policy for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire, Drivers, Vehicles and Operators and that officers report back to Committee when complete; and

(2) That Members endorse continued consultation and furthermore that Members require a full equalities review to take place in order to inform the development of an accessibility policy: current work was reflected in the draft set out in appendix 1 to the report.