The Committee’s approval was sought for the Council’s official response to the Department for Transport’s Draft best Practice Guidance and Consultation in relation to Taxi and Private Hire vehicle licensing.

Members were advised that best practice guidance had last been issued in 2010 and the latest set of guidance and the consultation thereon resulted from engagement with a number of relevant bodies and detailed consideration by the Department for Transport (DfT). 

Officers had drafted a series of responses to an extensive range of questions.  Members noted that of the 62 areas under consideration many aligned with the Council’s current policy and were therefore straightforward.  However there were three areas which Members were asked to focus on.  These were driver proficiency, driver licensing and vehicle safety ratings.  In addition, the consultation also covered tinted windows and the knowledge test the responses to which would be added having considered them separately at the meeting.

The consultation also addressed environmental issues, namely the phasing out of petrol and diesel and the transition to zero emissions; the infrastructure for which locally had not yet been determined but which would be a significant challenge to the Trade.

The Committee noted that any equalities implications arising from the guidance once finalised would be subject to a screening assessment if required.

The Committee agreed that any best practice guidance should be aimed at ensuring a safe, inclusive, accessible and attractive service for passengers as well as allowing licensing authorities to support the Trade and the public while regulating and monitoring businesses.

With regard to accessibility, licensing authorities were encouraged to produce an Inclusive Service Plan (ISP).  However, Officers felt this was too onerous a task for district councils and was better placed at County level as part of an integrated transport plan.  Having said this Officers confirmed that accessibility was a priority and the Council’s policy already included most of what was in the guidance.  An addition would be reference to the prosecution of cases where there was sufficient evidence to identify the driver and substantiate the claims made.  Where an applicant has a conviction relating to discrimination they would not be granted a licence until at least seven years had elapsed since the completion of any sentence imposed.

The Committee also discussed accessibility for children and provision of car seats.  This was not part of the best practice guidance so Officers were requested to look at this in more detail and submit a report to a future meeting of the Committee.

With regard to driver proficiency the Committee agreed that a higher level driving test was unnecessary as was obtaining a vocational qualification.  It was considered to be a further barrier to new drivers and that the current requirements for applicants and renewals was sufficient.

Members also agreed that making it a condition of driver licensing to carry out daily vehicle checks was disproportionate and would be very difficult to monitor and enforce. 

The Committee agreed that licensing authorities should consider the safety benefits to passengers, driver and pedestrians of vehicles which had received a higher Euro NCAP rating (where these had been assessed) when setting its vehicle requirements.  Euro NCAP was an independent not for profit organisation widely recognised by the motor industry and road safety professional providing objective information on crash safety of passenger cars.  Officers would investigate this further and report back to the Committee at a later date.

RESOLVED that –

i)          the contents of the Draft Best Practice Guidance be noted; and

ii)         the response from Runnymede Borough Council, to the Draft Best Practice Guidance consultation, as amended, be approved.