Agenda item

Report of Specialist Advisor - Licensing

The Committee considered the report which was in response to a request from Members at a previous meeting of the Committee on 19 September 2019 that consideration be given to the wheelchair accessibility of Hackney Carriage Vehicles (HCVs).

The Specialist Advisor - Licensing (SAL), Danielle Ball, presented the report and its findings.

The SAL highlighted that within Lewes District out of the 138 licensed HCVs, there were five which were considered wheelchair accessible. In addition, out of the 468 Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) within the District, three were considered wheelchair accessible. She further highlighted that although the Council had no control over how many PHVs could be classified as wheelchair accessible, it could control the number of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) within the HCV trade.

The SAL requested that the Committee consider the three options as set out in paragraph 2.5 of the report:

a)    Applications for a new HCV licence would not be granted unless the vehicle was deemed wheelchair accessible,  either side or rear loading. This would not apply to existing licence holders of HCVs who applied to change their vehicles.

b)    With effect from 1 June 2022 (or a date to be agreed), all applications for new and replacement HCV licenses would only be granted to those vehicles that were deemed wheelchair accessible.

c)    To maintain the current situation, with the number of WAVs to evolve naturally.

Discussion included:

·         Questions surrounding the number of HCVs licensed per year and how it would impact dual licenses. The SAL explained that the number of HCVs licensed per year varied. She clarified that dual licences were in respect of driving licenses, so all new license holders would become dual licence holders. Questions surrounding the scope of the consultation process. The SAL clarified that it would be a public consultation with a possible survey and local publications for the trade and members of the public.

·         Questions surrounding the sale of existing HCVs. The SAL explained that some proprietors completed a plate transfer and could sell plate without existing conditions. The SAL advised that she was not aware of the specific financial implications.

·         Questions surrounding the equality and fairness report and concerns regarding the effects on people with disabilities not outlined in the report. The SAL highlighted that there had been no response from disability or equality groups.

Resolved:

That Officers be authorised to undertake a six-week public consultation on all three options as set out in paragraph 2.5 of the report:

a)    Applications for a new HCV licence would not be granted unless the vehicle was deemed wheelchair accessible; either side or rear loading. This would not apply to existing licence holders of HCVs who applied to change their vehicles.

b)    With effect from 1 June 2022 (or a date to be agreed), all applications for new and replacement HCV licenses would only be granted to those vehicles that were deemed wheelchair accessible.

c)    Maintain the current situation, with the number of WAVs to evolve naturally.

(Councillor Clay requested that his vote for option (a), as set out in paragraph 2.5 of the report, be recorded in the body of the minutes.)