Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council Licensing Committee Meeting

Councillor Jeans was replaced by Councillor Mummalaneni.

Councillor Hussey was replaced by Councillor Slimin.

Councillor Phillimore was replaced by Councillor Harvey.

Apologies were received from Councillors Durrant and Tom.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no urgent matters.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2023 were approved by the Committee and signed as a correct record by the chair.

The Regulatory Services Manager introduced the report which provided the committee with the proposed amendments to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Geographical Knowledge test

The Regulatory Services Manager introduced the first proposal for the removal of the geographical element of the knowledge test for private hire drivers due to the use of electronic dispatching software therefore the requirement for detailed local knowledge was no longer required.

The Committee discussed the proposed policy amendment and made the following comments:

·         Concern was raised in relation to potential issues with satellite and mobile technology such as loss of signal.

• It was questioned whether any other authorities had taken similar decisions to remove the geographical test element. The Regulatory Services Manager stated that several authorities had removed the requirement.

• Suggested that the policy could give a competitive advantage to the private hire drivers over the Hackney Carriage drivers. The Regulatory Services Manager responded that the amendment had been put forward as part of the updated policy and therefore would consider making the change to the Hackney Carriage policy when it was updated. 

• In response to questions on the consultation process, the Regulatory Services Manager advised that several private hire operators had been consulted on the matter.

Age which Hackney Carriage vehicles accepted for licensing

The Regulatory Services Manager then introduced the proposed amendment to the Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Licensing Policy, which sought approval to increase the age at which Hackney Carriage vehicles would be accepted for licensing from 3 to 6 years, which would make more vehicles available for drivers to choose from.

• It was asked whether a vehicle pollution limit would be suitable. The Regulatory Services Manager responded that it could be established, however other authorities used the Euro standard, due to it being legally defined. 

The Chair introduced visiting speaker Peter Dainty, to address the Committee, his comments included:

• Highlighted the reduction in Hackney Carriage drivers and vehicles.

• Stated that Basingstoke had little to no air pollution issues and stressed the need for vehicles to provide a high-quality service in Basingstoke.

• Acknowledged there was a need to examine pollutant vehicles but stated that the benefits of Euros 4 and 5 vehicles outweighed the negatives.

• Highlighted that concerns in relation to rear leading vehicles had been raised by Parliament and motoring organisations such as AA and RAC.

• Stated that a risk assessment should be undertaken on rear-loading vehicles in relation to spinal injuries to the travelling public and drivers.

• Made reference to a recent Trade meeting where only 3 out of 17 licensed Hackney Carriage drivers in attendance were in favour of allowing rear loading hackney carriage vehicles.

• Emphasised the need to maintain the ‘gold standard’ for the industry.

Rear Loading Hackney Carriage Vehicles

The Regulatory Services Manager then presented the third proposed amendment to the Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Licensing Policy, to allow the licensing of rear loading Hackney Carriage vehicles and the required passenger capacity.

The Committee discussed the proposed amendment and made the following comments:

• Questioned what the impact would be if the committee rejected the proposal to allow rear loading vehicles. The Regulatory Services Manager explained that the change would enable drivers to obtain more cost-effective vehicles and stated that there was a need to act on the matter.

• It was queried whether it was appropriate to approve diesel-powered rear loading vehicles in light of the Council’s climate emergency policies.

• An alternative suggestion was made to instead extend the vehicle age limit of the side loading Hackney Carriage vehicles from 12 to 14 years.

• Questioned whether the introduction of rear loading vehicles would result in attracting new drivers to Basingstoke. The Regulatory Services Manager replied that more drivers could be attracted if less capital investment was required to purchase a vehicle.

• Stated that charities such as Age Concern Hampshire had adopted rear loading vehicles. 

• Queried whether the government would change the current rules on rear-loading vehicles. The Regulatory Services Manager responded that there were no changes proposed in the near future. 

• A proposal was put forward to postpone the decision on allowing the licensing of rear loading Hackney Carriage vehicles and to extend the vehicle age limit of the side loading Hackney Carriage vehicles from 12 to 14 years.

The Cabinet Member for Residents Services expressed concern about ensuring that the Private Hire Driver and Hackney Carriage policies were in line with the Councils climate change commitments and carbon neutrality. She acknowledged that the Committee were conflicted on the various issues and suggested that any decision around rear loading vehicles and extending the vehicle age limit from 12 to 14 years could be postponed and brought back to a later committee.

The Committee felt that more information was required to make an informed decision and suggested that a meeting be arranged outside of the Committee to discuss the issue with members of the Hackney Carriage trade.

A motion was put forward to postpone the decision to allow the licensing of rear loading Hackney Carriage vehicles. The motion was proposed by Councillor L Edwards and seconded by Councillor S Kotecha. The motion was carried.

Resolved: The Committee

• Approves the removal of the geographical element of the knowledge test for private hire drivers. 

• Approves the increase of the age at which Hackney Carriage vehicles will be accepted for licensing from 3 to 6 years.

• Defers the decision to allow the licensing of rear loading vehicles and the required passenger capacity.

• Defers the decision to delegate authority to the Head of Environment and Community Services to make the approved changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.

The Licensing Team Leader gave an overview of the items that would be timetabled for future committee meetings and advised that the review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy would now take place in November. 

The meeting ended at 8:00pm.

Chair