Agenda item

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 22 April 2016.

Filming or Recording Meetings

Please note that an audio recording will 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

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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 seven registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Alan Davies, Chairman of the Independent Taxi Association, stated that the Association represented over 60 hackney carriage owners and drivers in York.  He raised the following concerns regarding the draft policy:

·        The policy did not recognise that vehicles were sometimes designated as insurance write offs because the cost of repairs was uneconomical.  The designation was not made on safety grounds. 

·        The Association was supportive of the council’s voluntary taxi incentive scheme which had contributed to the introduction of low emission taxis.  The Association was, however, concerned at the proposals to only licence replacement vehicles which conformed to the specified limits.  This would be discriminate against wheelchair vehicles and minibuses because they were diesel. 

·        The recent amendment whereby vehicle side plates were no longer required to state a landline telephone number had been introduced without any consultation and had not been considered by the committee. 

William Brolly, Secretary of the Independent Taxi Association, expressed concern at the financial impact that the introduction of Euro 5 and Euro 6 requirements would have on wheelchair accessible vehicles and requested that these vehicles be exempt from the requirements.

Michael Dunn, from York Cars, raised the following issues:

·        He stated that he welcomed the relaxation of the requirements in respect of tinted windows but he requested that this be further extended to include other windows in estate and hatchback vehicles.

·        Concerns were expressed at the length of time taken for drivers to pass the knowledge test.  This was having an impact on recruitment and on forward planning.

·        He requested an amendment seeking Euro 5 emissions for both petrol and diesel vehicles from November 2016.  He also proposed that, from November 2017, all replacement vehicles be under four years old and that all existing licensed vehicles be replaced once they become eight years old excluding wheelchair and zero emission vehicles.

Jim Kerr, representing Unite the Union – Taxi Section, stated that he endorsed the sentiments raised by the previous speakers and also wished to draw Members’ attention to the following matters:

·        Although he had initially supported the 3-year license he now believed that this arrangement had flaws and requested that the licenses be issued for one year.  One issue for consideration was the safety issues if checks were not made each year. The new policy should also include arrangements for reimbursement where appropriate. 

·        Concerns were expressed regarding the alteration to the private hire operator licence condition which removed the need for a phone number.

Mark Wilson, Company Director Streamline Taxis, raised the following issues:

·        There was a need to give further consideration to issues in respect of wheelchair accessible vehicles.  To make their purchase cost-effective they were often bought when they were already four years old.  Much had already been done to address issues in respect of emissions but a balance had to be struck.

·        Members were asked to give further consideration to the arrangements in respect of DBS checks.

·        A diagram was tabled which demonstrated how the proposed changes to the letter height used on vehicles would impact visually on Streamline vehicles.

·        Greater clarification was required in respect of the wording regarding booking conditions.

Barry Page, Executive Officer YPHA, raised the following issues:

·        The proposed policy could potentially damage livelihoods and increase unemployment.  Whilst the importance of addressing issues in respect of emissions was acknowledged, the policy made no reference to the 900 drivers and their wellbeing. 

·        It was important that the consultation that had taken place had been meaningful and that it be reflected in the policy.

Bernie Flanagan, Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Proprietor and Driver for Fleetways Taxis, spoke on the following issues:

·        Whilst supporting the reduction of emissions, further consideration needed to be given to the impact of the policy on wheelchair accessible and eight-seater vehicles.  It was not clear whether the EIA had considered this issue.  The proposed measures would result in there being fewer vehicles of this type.  He requested that there be exemptions or an increase in the lead-in time.  Although the incentive scheme had been successful it had been mainly applied in respect of the four-seater vehicles.

·        A request was made for the knowledge test to be more flexible and for issues in respect of the length of the application process to be reviewed.

·        Members’ attention was drawn to the new technologies that were being introduced which would enable the public to book taxis in different ways.  The safety of the public and the taxi drivers must continue to be protected.