Agenda item - Chair's Communications

3.1      The Chair, Councillor Deane stated that firstly she wished to talk about the continuing effects of covid restrictions, officers were continuing to work closely with the Trade and a one off grant payment of £400 had been made to all licensed B&H drivers in April.

3.2      With regard to Electric Vehicles, three on-street rapid charging hubs with 12 bays for taxi charging had been officially launched earlier that month at Preston Park, Ashton Rise and Victoria Recreation Ground in Portslade. Sadly, work on the 4th rapid charger hub at the Racecourse had to be delayed until October due to events and the use of the site as a vaccination centre. To promote the launch of the on-street rapids: Electric Blue, our charge point operator was providing free electricity for the first month at these sites. Over the next few months additional fast chargers would be added to the network. Further bids were to be submitted bids for additional lamp post and fast chargers.

3.3      Another fully electric private hire vehicle  had been licensed recently and the taxi licensing team were fielding enquiries regarding more electric vehicle applications.

3.4      At this juncture the Chair stated that she would normally to invite her deputy Cllr Steve Davis who was now the lead on Taxis, to speak, but unfortunately as he was unable to take part in this meeting so she would take the opportunity to say a few words on his behalf:

         “With restrictions  lifting, the weather brightening and tourists returning to the city, I genuinely hope the Trade will see some semblance of normality return to their lives. I feel I know a fair amount of the pain you have felt during this unprecedented period. I have been a self employed driving instructor and had to close my business down for the best part of fourteen months and was on the breadline for much of that time so I understand your angst at the number of out of town drivers who have been plying for trade in our city, but must remind you that as a local authority our hands are tied by government legislation on this matter. On behalf of this committee I want to wish you the best of luck in keeping the wheels turning, and hope you have a very busy summer.”

3.5      Following the by election in May there had been a few changes to the  Licensing committees so the Chair wished to say farewell and thanks, albeit in their absence, to Cllrs Carmen Appich, Theresa Fowler, Martin Osborne, and Lee Wares for all the work they had put into this Committee in the past, and to welcome Cllr Chris Henry as Opposition Spokesperson, Cllr Amy Heley, and Cllrs Clare Moonan, Alex Phillips and Carol Theobald.

3.6      RESOLVED – That the contents of the Chair’s Communications be noted and received.