Agenda and draft minutes

The Licensing Manager invited everyone to the meeting.

The note of the last forum is enclosed for information.

Noted.

Chris Ward, Licensing Manager gave an update report on the vehicle age policy, that had been taken to the meeting of licensing and Public Safety committee on 12/09/2023.

A brief outline was given advising that members had asked for an update on the policy after 12 months.

The Licensing Manager explained that the committee had been given an update that policy was working as 16 hybrids had been added to the fleet since June 2022.

He also advised that members had been advised that electric vehicles were still out of driver’s price range and the infrastructure of charging points was not there.

It was also mentioned that the range of vehicles were not capable of performing the required number of miles in one charge, meaning that an all-electric fleet was not practicable.

The Licensing Manager advised that there were currently 11 vehicles older than 8 years that are not euro 5, these were all Wheel Chair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) and not exempt under the current policy.

Officers were going to consult the trade to propose changing the policy to include exemption for WAV type vehicles enabling them to be licenced until 12 years of age. This would accommodate the 11 WAV’s, and be in line with the exemptions from ULEZ zones for WAV’s.

Gerd Byrne commented that the price of vehicles had continued to rise and that drivers were struggling to afford vehicles. He agreed that electric vehicles were out of driver’s price range.

The Licensing Manger advised that of a potential consultation for Leyland Town Deal which would be asked for driver’s opinions on the relocation of a taxi rank on Hough Lane.

Ø  Hackney vehicles not displaying the Table of Fares

Ø  Vehicles not wearing top signs, with some failing to illuminate properly

Ged Byrne advised that he had seen Hackney Vehicles not displaying tariff cards.

Justin Abbotts, Licensing Officer, advised that Officers had not come across this but would take a hard line when checking vehicles if this was the case.

Ged Byrne advised that he had been asked by a member of the trade to raise the issue of drivers not using roof signs on their vehicles.

Justin Abbotts, Licensing Officer explained that Officers would issue stop notices if caught and members of the trade sending in details of the vehicles if possible, would help officers to enforce the issue.

Officers would be vigilant of this issue when undertaking evening enforcement.

The Licensing Officer advised that the issue had also been raised at a meeting with one of the licenced operators who were going to address the issue.

The next meeting of the Taxi Trade Forum would be held in December 2023 at 6pm in the Civic Centre, Leyland.