Agenda item - Private Hire Plate Exemption Policy

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

17.1    Before proceeding to the formal consideration of the report at her discretion the Chair permitted Mr Andy Peters to speak on behalf of the GMB with reference to the proposed Private Plate Exemption Policy. With regards to the intention that a “generic” door sign be used, the trade at its last meeting with officers had specifically asked that the design include a telephone number, it did not appear that this would be the case and he requested clarification of any apparent discrepancy as it had been understood by the trade that this would be the case.

17.2    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing requesting that consideration be given to adoption of a formal policy with regard to determining applications for exemption from the requirement to display private hire vehicle licence plates also, approval of new door signs as allowed by section 75 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

17.3    It was explained that The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 required Private Hire Vehicles to display an identification plate and for drivers of those vehicles wear a driver’s badge. The same legislation also allowed Brighton & Hove City Council to exempt vehicles from the need to display an identification plate and, where that exemption applied, there was a requirement to wear a Private Hire Driver badge. The council had seen an increase in the number of applications for Private Hire Vehicles (PHV) to be exempt from the requirement to display PHV Licence identity plates. Therefore a policy was needed to ensure a consistent approach was taken to ensure that the decision making process was a transparent and to ensure that public safety was not compromised.

17.4    In response to the issues raised by the trade, The Public Health Licensing Lead, Jim Whitelegg explained that in order to fulfil the stated policy objectives regarding public safety/vehicle identification but also to address and remove the opportunity for unintended consequences it was proposed that:

            Council livery was mandatory (Council Logo, Pre-Booked statement) when undertaking bookings);

            No individual operator identifiers permitted on any livery (name, phone number etc);

            All cars will look the same, with clear markings for the public;

            Magnetic signage to be permitted that can be removed when not working and a condition to be imposed on drivers to fix magnets when working.

17.5    RESOLVED – (1) That the Committee adopt the Private Hire Plate Exemption Policy as set out in appendix 1 to the report with effect from 1 January 2018; and

            (2) That the Committee approve the generic Private Hire door sign set out in Appendix 2 to the report.