Agenda item - Hackney Carriage Unmet Demand Survey

Report of the Director of Public Health (copy attached)

17.1    The Committee considered a report of the Director of Public Health which set out the results of the Hackney Carriage Unmet Demand Survey. Various options were set out for the Committees’ consideration and the summary and conclusions section of the survey was set out as an appendix to the report.

17.2    The Hackney Carriage Officer, Martin Seymour and Ian Millership of Peter Brett Associates, (the Council’s Consultants) gave a presentation highlighting the key findings drawn from the survey.

17.3    The presentation outlined what the aims of the survey had been, and also detailed fleet and industry issues which had been identified, the level of activity on ranks across the city. Outcomes of the public questionnaire/consultation, stake holder consultation and consultation with the trade were also detailed, this included a critique of the issues identified in relation to disabled users. The key conclusions of the survey were as follows:

            There was no evidence of significant unmet demand;

            Both patent and latent demand were being addressed;

            However, demand was growing;

            Operational reviews was required of several of the night ranks;

            A policy of managed growth remained valid and beneficial;

            It was necessary to consider the mixed fleet against 100% WAV options when/before WAV% gets to 50; and

            If the current limit was retained it should be the subject of further review in three years’ time unless there were changes to the existing guidance/legislation.

17.4    Councillor West sought clarification regarding the methodology adopted and breadth of the survey and details of the depth and level of consultation which had taken place.

17.5    Councillor Moonan referred to the observations made in relation to the l night time economy and the need to review several of the ranks which were utilised late at night. The Head of Regulatory Services, Tim Nichols explained that this situation was being monitored in order to see whether it would be appropriate/practicable to provide any new ranks, confirming that a decision on that would fall within the remit of the Environment and Transport Committee which would need to authorise the making of any new traffic orders which would permit that.

17.6    Councillor Gilbey stated that she found some of the data surprising and sought information regarding data supplied in relation to Portslade and to arrangements in place at Brighton station. The information given indicated that 85% of those passengers used Hackney Carriages, she was sure that in Portslade the majority of vehicles used would be Private Hire.

17.7    Councillor Deane sought confirmation regarding the proportion of Wav’s provided and it was confirmed that this was considered to be at an appropriate level at present, Wav’s were not suitable for all disabled users.

17.8    In answer to questions by Councillor Wares it was confirmed that overall, the range of vehicles in use across the city was very wide.

17.9    Councillor West stated that he was concerned that insufficient time had been allowed for debate considering that comments which had wished to make had been curtailed. The Chair proposed a brief adjournment and comfort break and it was agreed that each of recommendations set out in the report would be put and voted on separately. He had concerns regarding whether retention of the existing figure or managed growth was proposed and the rationale for this as he did not consider that all of the data provided had been quantified sufficiently.

17.10  Following the adjournment it was agreed that the Committee would vote directly on the recommendations in the officer report. Recommendation 2.2 was agreed on a vote of 11 to 4; Recommendation 2.2 and 2.3 then fell and Recommendation 2.4 was agreed unanimously. The resolutions set out below reflect this:

17.11  RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee agrees to issue 5 additional hackney carriage vehicle licences annually; and

(2)       That any additional licences issued under should be issued in accordance with the conditions attached to the Brighton & Hove City Council Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Waiting List and to vehicles which are constructed or adapted and configured to carry passengers seated in wheelchairs, the type and design of the vehicle to be agreed by the Director of Public Health.