Eastleigh Borough Council Licensed Transport Forum Meeting

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2021 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Senior Licensing Officer provided verbal updates to the Action List (Agenda item 3).

The Senior Licensing Officer presented the Enforcement Summary as set out in the Agenda (Item 4) and reported that mystery shopping had taken place, the first since the pandemic began.

The Chair welcomed the benefits that the return of mystery shopping would bring and expressed pleasure that standards had not slipped during the pandemic.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that the training packages from the Blue Lamp Trust along with the new Forest District Council package will go to the Administration Committee in July for final approval.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that the documents to replace the handbook would go to the Administration Committee in July for approval to commence the consultation process. A three-month consultation period with drivers, operators and members of the public would commence soon after, and back to the Administration Committee in November for approval.

The Chair thanked the Senior Licensing Officer for all his, and his team’s, efforts on the Guidance to Fitness and Propriety.

The Senior Licensing Officer provided verbal updates on IVA Testing and the time scales expected.

Roger Vivian raised concerns that the costs of the offices at The Depot were high for what they were providing.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that the costs included many background services, including finance, IT, legal services, and democratic services alongside the accommodation but they had renegotiated the costs and also a better workspace from the week commencing 14 June 2021.

Steve Lucas raised concerns that section 9.1 in the handbook was unclear regarding companies from outside the Borough being allowed to work within the Borough. He suggested that section 9.1 could not be approved as the wording stands and that if it was not addressed then the situation could escalate in time.

Alan Lloyd and Kevin May agreed with Steve Lucas’s concerns.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that current legislation allowed operators to work anywhere in the country and that there is nothing they could do at the present time.

The Senior Chartered Legal Executive agreed to look into the situation and update in due course.

Steve Lucas expressed disappointment that Southampton Airport were not using local Eastleigh companies to provide contract taxi/ private hire services.

The Chair and the Senior Licensing Officer explained although they understood the frustrations, the Airport is private ground and could choose to offer contracts to whoever they chose to.

There was further discussion from the trade representatives and it was agreed that the Chair would ask Southampton Airport at the next Airport Consultative Committee if they would consider using a local Eastleigh company when the contract was up for renewal.

Steve Lucas suggested that a date of 1 January 2022 be proposed to ensure that all Hackney carriage and private hire cars were complying with Euro 6 and above emission and pollution levels.

The Chair and the Senior Licensing Officer agreed that it would be a good date to aim for, with the option to extend the date if it became necessary.

Steve Lucas raised concerns that a dress code could not be enforced on Hackney carriage drivers.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that although that was correct, a dress code could be enforced using the Guidance on Fitness and Propriety code of conduct.

The Vice-Chair stated that following the last meeting of the forum, it was apparent that a number of people within the trade needed additional financial support and that there was potential funding available through the Additional Restrictions Grant scheme.

Details of the scheme, and the link, were forwarded to as many in the trade as possible in order that they had access to the funds.

The Vice-Chair asked the Head of Economy and Business, Camilla Sharp, and her team to assess any applications as a matter of priority and he was pleased to report that not only did the team receive more applications, but Camilla and her team responded magnificently by processing them speedily and efficiently.

The Vice-Chair stated that he was sure that those who qualified for the grant appreciated this and he expressed sincere thanks to her and her team for their response in difficult times.

He also expressed his thanks to the Senior Licensing Officer, Andy Jeffrey, for working with Camilla in a fantastic joint effort which made this happen. The Vice-Chair was told that Camilla felt his help was invaluable.

The Chair echoed the Vice-Chair’s thanks, extended it to all members of the Licensing Team and told the panel that he had informed the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive of the appreciation for the work carried out by Camilla Sharp and her team in providing advice and support to the trade over recent months.

The Chair thanked Hackney Carriage Representative, Alan Lloyd, for his service to the forum ahead of his retirement this month.

Alan Lloyd thanked the Chair and also expressed thanks to Hackney Carriage Representative, Simon Cornwell, who had retired. He stated he was an asset to the forum and would be missed.

The Chair echoed Alan Lloyd’s thanks.

The Senior Licensing Officer thanked Southampton City Council Licensing Officers, Sue Ingram and Patrycja Ngalamulume, for all their help and support.