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.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests they may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th September 2015.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th September 2015 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 16^th October 2015.

Filming or Recording Meetings

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 https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_council_meetingspdf

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the council’s public participation scheme.

This report asks Members to agree a staged approach to the implementation of the Deregulation Act 2015 in relation to hackney carriage and private hire licensing.

Members considered a report which agreed a staged approach to the implementation of the Deregulation Act 2015 in relation to hackney carriage and private hire licensing.

The Licensing Manager presented the report and informed the committee that there were 3 changes that had taken effect from 1^st October 2015 as follows:

·        The introduction of 3 year licences for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Vehicle drivers.

·        The introduction of 5 year licences for Private Hire Operators

·        The ability for Private Hire Vehicle Sub-Contracting.

It was the intention to take a staged approach to the changes with the aim of having a full implementation in York by the 1^st April 2016 in line with the Council’s financial year.

In response to questions from Members’ the Licensing Manager advised as follows:

·        In relation to sub-contracting it would be possible for an operator in York to sub-contract work to another operator from outside the authority area.

·        Potential problems arising from any sub-contracting was at present unknown and the situation would need to be monitored once implemented.

·        Enforcement issues would be discussed with neighbouring authorities.

·        It was confirmed that the tendering process undertaken by the Council for the transportation of vulnerable children would not be affected.

·        Annual checks of driver documentation will still be carried out.

·        In relation to licence fees, it was not possible to multiply the current yearly charges by 3 or 5 years so a full review would need to be carried out in relation to the new charges.

Resolved:           That Members approved Option 1 of the report as follows:

                             Agreed to the full implementation of the changes to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers and operators licences to take place on 1^st April 2016.

Reason:              To enable the Council to agree fees and policy in relation to the implementation of the changes to hackney carriage and private hire drivers and operator licences.