Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which they may have in respect of business on the agenda.  Councillor Watt declared a personal interest in agenda item 4 – minute 15 refers (Policy for Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licences and Unmet Demand Survey) as Chair of Skelton Parish Council, which had responded to the consultation.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th September 2014.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2014 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Committee’s remit can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Friday 17^th October 2014.

Filming or Recording Meetings

“Please note that an audio recording may be made of this meeting and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission. This recording can be played back at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

It was reported that there were three registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Mr Jim Kerr, UNITE representative, stated that there was no evidence of unmet demand and therefore he hoped that no additional hackney carriage vehicle licences would be issued.  He drew attention to the situation nationally and stated that taxi drivers now spent more time waiting in their vehicles than actually driving.  Mr Kerr informed Members that it would be unrealistic to have sufficient provision to meet short term peak demand such as during the Christmas period.

Mr Alan Davies, Chairman of the Local Independent Taxi Association, stated that there was a higher number of hackney carriage vehicles per resident in York than the national average. He stated that he would like to see CCTV installed at ranks and in cabs.  Mr Davies informed Members that waiting times were lower than average and that there was no evidence of significant unmet demand.

Mr Pickering gave details of his experiences as a driver.  He stated that rising costs and a decline in demand meant that his income was less than the minimum wage and he was having to work increasingly long hours.  He thanked Members for their response to previous Halcrow Unmet Demand Surveys and stated that he believed that a satisfactory service was being provided to the public.   

This report asks Members to consider the findings of a recent unmet demand study carried out within the authority area, relating to the provision of the hackney carriage service, and implementation of a new policy in relation to hackney carriage vehicle licence numbers.  This relates to motorised hackney carriages only.

Members considered a report which asked them to consider the findings of a recent unmet demand study carried out within the authority area, relating to the provision of the hackney carriage service, and implementation of a new policy in relation to hackney carriage vehicle licence numbers.  The report related to motorised hackney carriages only.

A representative from Halcrow gave a presentation on the survey, including details of the methodology used, responses to the consultation that had taken place and the main findings of the survey. 

Members considered the following options:

Option 1     Apply the policy set out in paragraph 10 of the report

Option 2     Apply an alternative policy for the release of new hackney carriage vehicle licenses and either:

a)   Utilise the waiting list by offering the person at the top of the list the opportunity to obtain a licence, in line with the current policy as detailed in paragraph 13 of the report

b)   Utilise the waiting list but with an alternative criteria

c)   Do not use the waiting list as a means to release new vehicle licenses, apply an alternative selection method.

Option 3     Deregulate completely

Members noted that the survey had not found any evidence of significant unmet demand, although some Members expressed concern that drivers on the waiting list were unlikely to obtain a hackney carriage vehicle license unless the current policy was changed. 

Officers confirmed that they were working with the Police regarding training for drivers on vulnerability/acceptable behaviour.  Information was also being sought from other Authorities as to the effectiveness of CCTV cameras in taxis.

Resolved:  That option 1 (ie apply the policy set out in paragraph

                   10 of the report) be approved.

Reason:     The unmet demand study has identified that there is no evidence of significant unmet demand.