Agenda item - Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards

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

RESOLVED – That the Council adopts the Statutory and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and officers implement the Standards as soon as practicable.

17.1    The Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods and Communities requesting that officers be authorised to implement the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards as soon as practicable.

17.2    It was noted that in July the Government had published the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards (set out in Appendix A to the report). These standards had been published in response to evidence which supported the view that taxis and private hire vehicles were a high risk environment in terms of risks to passengers in terms of abuse and exploitation of children and vulnerable adults facilitated and in some cases perpetrated by those working within the trade. A number of sexual crimes reported had involved taxi and private hire vehicle drivers. The council already had many of the suggested standards incorporated into the current Blue Book for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers, Vehicles and Operators. The council planned to consult on any proposed changes to licensing policies and conditions and Officers were working on a new version (6^th Edition) of the Blue Book. Many of the recommendations were already in place and simply required refinement and would require no further consultation. However, significant proposed changes to policies or new policies would require consultation.

17.3    In answer to questions it was explained that whilst the focus of the Statutory and Private Hire Vehicle Standards was on protecting children and vulnerable adults, all passengers would benefit from the recommendations contained within it.

17.4    It was confirmed in answer to questions by Councillors Knight  and Ebel that consultation had also taken place with the Police and other stator bodies as well as trade organisations and that the Blue Book underwent a full revision every three years but was updated and amended as necessary during that period.

17.5    In answer to questions of Councillors O’Quinn and Simson it was explained that safeguarding training was due to recommence following easing of the current lock-down. Seventy per cent of licensed drivers had received the training and discussions had taken place with the trade to seek to reach a level of 100%.

17.6    In answer to questions of Councillor Wares it was explained that this would form the basis of discussions at the Taxi Forum.

17.7    RESOLVED – That the Council adopts the Statutory and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and officers implement the Standards as soon as practicable.