The Committee considered a
report which requested that Members review the proposed
implementation of Dual Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Drivers
licences as detailed within the Council’s Hackney Carriage
and Private Hire Licensing Guidance, as well as agree the method of
introducing Disability, CSE, Safeguarding and equalities
training.
The Senior Specialist Advisor
(Licensing and Pollution) (SSALP) reminded the Committee that the
current Lewes District Council (LDC) Hackney Carriage and Private
Hire Licensing Guidance was introduced in early 2019. The
introduction of Dual Drivers Licences had been agreed by the
Committee at its last meeting on 14 February 2019 on the basis that
LDC Officers considered it to be a minor administrative matter
which would not unduly impact upon the taxi trade.
The SSALP highlighted, however,
that some complaints had been received from the taxi trade, as they
considered that such ahange would
disadvantage Hackney Carriage drivers. The Hackney Carriage drivers
asserted that by giving all drivers the ability to become Hackney
Carriage drivers would be detrimental to the trade.
As a result of the feedback
from the taxi trade, Licensing Officers were of the opinion that
the most appropriate and fair course of action would be to put the
proposal concerning dual driving licences for
consultation.
Discussion included:
- That consideration
was given to the wheelchair accessibility of Hackney Carriages.
Officers agreed that the matter be the subject of a report to the
next meeting of the Committee;
·
Whether or not additional taxi rank spaces could be
created at the Lewes Railway Station. Officers clarified that they
had been in conversation with East Sussex County Council who are in
negotiation with Network Rail (the owners of the land outside Lewes
Railway Station). East Sussex County Council are proposing to
implement an ‘experimental TRO’ (transport regulation
order) which will be subject to a public consultation prior to
implementation;
- Whether or not
current Hackney Carriage drivers would have the same benefits as
new dual licenced drivers. Officers clarified that this was an
issue they would consider following the proposed
consultation;
- If the 20 MPH zone
could be recognised during the testing procedure. Officers clarified that this forms part of the
Taxi driving assessment of new applicants, but that a question
related to this can be added to the knowledge test;
- Clarification on
whether additional training would be required for current Hackney
Carriage licence holders and how the training for new dual licence
holders would compare. Officers clarified that they were looking to
create a balanced and fair system for both current licence holders
and dual licence applicants, with some training remaining the same
for current Hackney Carriage licence holders and additional
training elements added for potential dual licence
holders;
- English competency
requirements. Licensing Officers explained that all new applicants
must obtain at least an 80% pass rate in each category of the
knowledge test; including a category in English comprehension;
and
- The Committee
expressed its concerns regarding the additional training fees for
Hackney Carriage drivers and the uncertainty of cost upon licensing
renewals after three years. Officers clarified that the initial fee
would be a one-time fee with a cost of £30 per module, with 4
modules, totalling a sum of £120, with renewal of such training
undertaken every 3 years (a cost for this part of the training
could not be determined at the current time).
Resolved:
1.
That the proposed implementation of Dual Private
Hire and Hackney Carriage Drivers licences as detailed within the
Lewes District Council Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing
Guidance, be noted;
- That the Senior
Specialist Advisor (Licensing and Pollution) be authorised to begin
a 6 week consultation with the taxi trade and the public in
relation to the proposed introduction of Dual Drivers
Licences;
- That that the results
of the 6 week consultation with the taxi trade and the public in
relation to the proposed introduction of Dual Drivers Licences be
reported back to the Licensing Committee; and
- That the method of
delivery for an external online training package with certificate
for Disabilities, CSE, Safeguarding and Equalities, be
agreed.