Eastleigh Borough Council Licensed Transport Forum Meeting

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Senior Licensing Officer updated the Forum with the following:

·  There had been no issues reported for Ageas Bowl.

·  Due to costs, there would be a change in the provider for safeguarding training and it would now be provided by Blue Lamp Trust.

·  Vehicle testing had not progressed at this time due to other pressures and workload.

·  The Finance Business Partner was present to provide an update on the EBC Hackney & Private Hire accounts.

The Senior Licensing Officer updated the Forum that a number of drivers had been caught smoking in licensed vehicles and that going forward Environmental Health would be issuing fixed penalty notices to any drivers smoking in the vehicles.

He also stated that if drivers were then caught smoking again that further action would be taken.

The Senior Licensing Officer stated that safeguarding training was going well and the existing drivers were being worked through.

The Senior Licensing Officer mentioned that the BTEC qualification, which drivers had to complete, had not been updated since 2008 and there were concerns that it was now out of date.

He confirmed that licensing officers and legal were looking into alternative options, and the trade would be consulted before any decisions would be made.

There was discussion around whether CCTV should be introduced in Hackney and Private Hire vehicles.

Jason Kauder requested that the Team look into whether any funding was available to help drivers with the cost of CCTV.

The Senior Licensing Officer reiterated that at this time it was not felt that the introduction of CCTV should be made mandatory, but any drivers that felt they would benefit from CCTV would be encouraged to have it fitted as long as they complied with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The Senior Licensing Officer updated the Forum that it had been almost one year since the introduction of Private Hire vehicles’ door signage and, in that time, there had been a number of representations regarding removal of the signage.

He added that due to this the Licensing Team would be consulting with the public and the trade, and that if any changes to policy resulted from the consultation, a report would be taken to the Administration Committee for consideration of any changes, if proposed.

There was further discussion on how top lights were fitted to Hackney Carriage vehicles.

Roger Vivian queried whether magnetic signs could be used on fully registered vehicles so that they could work for more than one operator.

The Senior Licensing Officer stated that comments raised would be noted and he would discuss with the Senior Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEx).

The Senior Licensing Officer shared the proposed changes to fees and charges with the Forum and explained that time recordings showed that Hackney testing takes more of the Team’s time and it therefore needed a slightly higher fee that a Private Hire.

The Finance Business Partner shared a spreadsheet with the Forum showing the EBC Hackney and Private Hire accounts to date.

The Senior Licensing Officer informed the Forum that the forms for Hackney and Private Hire drivers would be moving online in the near future.

Kevin May queried the seven year vehicle licence terms in relation to electric vehicles and asked if it could be extended.to 12 years.

The Forum discussed the issue.

The Executive Head of Neighbourhood Services agreed to hold further discussions with the Licensing Team and Senior Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEx) if they were needed.

This item was covered under items 7 (CCTV systems in Vehicles) and 8 (Review of Private Hire Door Signage) of the agenda.

Roger Vivian queried why the Licensing Team would not license some MPVs with the number of seats that the Department of Transport had said they could carry.

There was discussion around the issue.

The Senior Licensing Officer explained that each car was looked at individually to ensure safeguarding was adhered to for both driver and passenger, and that cars had to comply with the council policy in place.

Steve Lucas requested confirmation of the wording in the Handbook that covers combined names needing DBS checks on renewal of a Private Hire plate.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed the wording was correct and could be found on page one of the Private Hire Policy and Conditions Handbook.

He also added that notice of the condition had been sent out in the December 2021 newsletter and that he would add it again to the next newsletter.

Steve Lucas queried whether the Licensing Team could provide the EBC logos that are used on vehicles could be provided as they degrade and deteriorate over time.

The Senior Licensing Officer stated that enquiries into logos had started and he would update the Forum when he had a response on whether it was viable.

Roger Vivian asked if the Licensing Team could look at whether clean air grants, which are currently issued by Southampton City Council on behalf of DEFRA, could be extended to cover Eastleigh drivers.

The Senior Licensing Officer stated that they were waiting on a response from DEFRA on whether it was possible and he would update the Forum in due course.

It was agreed the next meeting would take place on the 2 February 2023 in rooms 11/12/13 of Eastleigh House.