Agenda item - Amendments to the Blue Handbook for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire, Drivers, Vehicles and Operators

Report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing (copy attached)

1)           That Committee approve the additions to the handbook contained in (Appendix 1).

2)           That Committee refuse the alternative livery on Hackney Carriages Operated by Brighton & Hove Streamline as shown in (Appendix 2).

3)           That Committee agree that Hackney Carriages may display the Operator Name and phone number in Aqua as approved by the Director, providing the name and number is in proportion and does not exceed the corporate logo.

27.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing that set out a review of byelaws, conditions, advice and information for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers, Vehicles and Operators contained in the blue handbook (The Blue Book).

27.2      Councillor Page noted his concern that vehicles would no longer be required to carry a spare wheel.

27.3      The Hackney Carriage Officer clarified that newer vehicles no longer carried a spare wheel and instead, a foam filler canister was used in the event of a puncture that allowed a vehicle to continue its journey sufficiently that the tyre could be replaced.

27.4      Councillor Wares noted that due to an unrelated matter, many attendees of the most recent Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum had left. Councillor Wares stated that this may have meant the Forum had not been presented the amendments in their current format and there could be uncertainties about the level of engagement and therefore the level of support for the changes. Councillor Wares asked if it might be appropriate for the committee to defer the item to be certain that the consultation was thorough.

27.5      The Hackney Carriage Officer clarified that the proposals had been discussed in December 2016 at the Forum. The Public Health Licensing Lead added that the amendments were mostly minor or legislatively necessary.

27.6      Councillor Simson noted that paragraph 4.1 of the report stated that the amendments had been discussed but the committee had no indication whether the Forum had been in agreement.

27.7      Councillor Deane asked for clarification of whether the proposals had been discussed further.

27.8      The Hackney Carriage Officer replied that the amendments had been circulated to the Forum and discussed at a meeting on 21 December 2016 and two sets of comments had been received from that. Furthermore, the amendments had been emailed to every Forum member with an invitation to comment.

27.9      Councillor Wares moved a motion to defer consideration of the report to the next meeting in order to carry out a further round of consultation with the Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum.

27.10   Councillor Bell seconded the motion.

27.11   The Chair put the motion to the vote which failed.

27.12   The Chair then put the recommendations to the report which were approved.

27.13   RESOLVED-

1)           That Committee approve the additions to the handbook contained in (Appendix 1).

2)           That Committee refuse the alternative livery on Hackney Carriages Operated by Brighton & Hove Streamline as shown in (Appendix 2).

3)           That Committee agree that Hackney Carriages may display the Operator Name and phone number in Aqua as approved by the Director, providing the name and number is in proportion and does not exceed the corporate logo.