Regulation Round-up: The Taxi Centre August Monthly Update
The Taxi Centre monthly round-up keeps you updated with the latest council regulations and updates that you need to know about in your area.
Basildon - Plans put in place in hopes of increasing driver numbers
Basildon Council are putting a plan of action in place to help boost driver numbers, over fears that a “severe lack” of drivers may put the vulnerable at risk.
This comes after a recent Echo report revealing that the borough is facing a licensed driver shortage, with many drivers reaching retirement age.
In response, the council have devised a solution in the form of a pilot scheme allowing trainee drivers to learn on the job. The proposed scheme, named ‘Earn as you Learn’, gives trainee drivers nine months paid training on the job, replacing the previous requirement for drivers to take time out of work and complete a six-month course.
A similar scheme was implemented by Rochford Council in January, and Basildon councillors are now set to vote on introducing the scheme in their area.
Cllr Kerry Smith expressed the importance of boosting driver numbers for the isolated and disabled, as well as those returning home late at night, saying:
“For young women out after a night out, maybe who have had a few drinks, the safest way to get home is with a borough registered cab. “We need to support our taxi drivers and keep them going.”
East Staffordshire – New campaign launched to protect drivers
A campaign has been launched in a bid to protect East Staffordshire taxi drivers after an alleged attack on a working driver. Local drivers have been left outraged by the incident and took strike action on one of the busiest days of the year.
Claims of ‘inaction’ from the authorities lead to a meeting being called between drivers, police, and council leaders, to discuss how East Staffordshire Borough Council can protect drivers and members of the public.
The meeting resulted in the borough council agreeing to regularly meet with police and taxi trade representatives from the East Staffordshire area, seeing how they can work together to safeguard taxi drivers and the public.
Councillor George Allen, leader of the council, said: “I was delighted to meet Staffordshire Police and local councillors to discuss this issue. It’s vital that members of the taxi trade feel safe when they are working and I look forward to our continued discussions over the coming months.”
Hyndburn - Police spot checks ban unfit hackney carriages from operating
Police and council officers rallied together in Hyndburn to perform spot checks on taxis in the area on Friday 1 July.
Five taxi and private hire vehicles were served with a safety warning, while one was ordered off-road immediately after the checks.
Fifteen licensed hackney carriages and private hire vehicles were directed to the council’s Vehicle Maintenance Unit for a full inspection, where one vehicle was served an immediate prohibition notice, while two others received delayed prohibition notices.
A vehicle with worn brake pads was given an immediate suspension warning pending the issue being resolved, while another vehicle received a suspension warning for a faulty brake light.
The checks were carried out in addition to the routine MOT tests which are carried out every four months for all licensed vehicles.
Cllr Miles Parkinson said:
“Spot checks like this are carried out periodically, even though most licensed vehicles are subject to a test which is more stringent than a normal MOT test every four months.
“This ensures that our high standards are being always met. Through this additional work members of the public using vehicles licensed in Hyndburn can be assured that the vehicles are safe and suitable.”
Cllr Munsif Dad further commented:
“Gradually, the safety standards of licensed vehicles in the borough is improving. We welcome that.”
Luton – Hackney licences continue to be limited due to cost of living crisis
The cost of living crisis and rising fuel costs continue to have an impact on the number of Hackney Carriage Vehicle (HCV) licences issued in the borough of Luton. Restrictions remain in place surrounding the number of licences with the local council agreeing that demand is being met.
Currently the number of HCV’s operating in Luton is restricted to just 170 as part of a policy which was put in place in 1994. In 2019, the council’s licensing service commissioned a report by independent transport consultants to assess whether more licences need to be issued locally.
At the time of the survey, there were 165 HCV’s and 938 PHV’s and councillors agreed to continue with the current limit and look to carry out a new survey in September 2023.
Lancashire - Crackdown on illegal parking in taxi ranks
Lancashire County Council have announced a crackdown on illegal parking in local taxi ranks, after drivers reported unauthorised vehicles parking in the ranks.
Civil enforcement officers from the council and Preston City Council are now working together to address the problem through increased visits.
Building on previous enforcement exercises, this includes the issuing of penalty charge notices to drivers parking there illegally, in the hopes of acting as a deterrent. The first enforcement took place on 15 July.
Charlie Edwards, County Councillor, said:
“We fully support a vibrant city centre economy and taxis play a key part of that. Unfortunately, members of the public are illegally parking in the taxi bays which is causing a problem.
“On Friday and Saturday evenings in particular, taxis are finding they are unable to use the rank because it is already full with cars that shouldn’t be there.”
Cllr David Borrow also added:
“Hackney carriages play an integral role in ensuring that visitors to Preston’s city centre can get home both quickly and safely.
The longstanding issue of private vehicles parking in the Church Street rank in the evening causes disruption by preventing licensed vehicles from using these dedicated spaces effectively.”
It’s hoped that the crackdown will help to re-establish proper, authorised-only use of the taxi rank to help drivers deliver their services effectively, while helping to improve safety for pedestrians and other road users.
Plymouth – New taxi livery plans defended by council leader
Plans to change taxi livery to green and white following Plymouth’s new taxi licensing policy have been defended by Plymouth City Council’s leader.
The Plymouth Herald reported that there would be a five-year lead-in time for drivers to update livery. However, local drivers raised concerns about the proposed plans at the full council meeting on Monday 20th June.
Cllr Richard Bingley defended the plans, arguing that the new livery would improve passenger confidence and could help taxi drivers earn money through advertising, or at weddings and funerals.
At the full council meeting, drivers also voiced concerns around the mandatory requirement to accept card payments by July 2022, fearing it will drive more people out of the industry.
Cllr Bingley said: “A number of drivers have no issue with this and already have card readers fitted which assist passengers and are safer as drivers don’t have to carry cash.”
Sefton - Drivers with criminal records could wait twice as long before applying for taxi licence
New rules are now under consultation in Sefton that would see drivers with criminal records wait twice as long before applying to become a taxi driver.
The Liverpool Echo reported in June that if the new rules are approved, people convicted of violent offences, hate crimes, and acts of dishonesty, will be subject to longer waiting times when applying for a hackney or private hire vehicle licence.
The suggested new rules were recommended by the Department for Transport (DfT), as part of a series of statutory measures.
Under current guidelines, people with dishonesty convictions are unlikely to be granted a licence until at least three years after the conviction, depending on the offence.
The new rules would see the three years wait increased to at least seven years since the completion of a sentence imposed, and up to 10 years for violence and drug related convictions. A lifetime ban would also be introduced for sexual or indecency offences and any crimes that have resulted in the death of another person.
Swindon – CCTV set to be introduced in taxis and private hire vehicles from April 2023
CCTV is set to become compulsory in all new taxis and PHV’s from April 2023, following a new plan that was approved at a licensing committee meeting on Tuesday 28th June.
Following a period of public consultation as suggested by Swindon Borough Council’s Licensing Committee, a report was then presented to the committee detailing how the policy could be implemented. The report also set out situations in which CCTV footage can be used.
While specific grants from the government to help with the cost couldn’t be identified, small business grants are available which could cover the cost of installation.
The policy was initially proposed in 2019 by the council’s licensing department but the committee scrapped plans due to the cost implications of installing cameras. However, a draft policy has been brought back with a proposed deadline of April 1st, 2023, for all new taxis to install CCTV.
Older taxis and PHV’s will also be expected to install CCTV when their licence is up for renewal.
South Kesteven - Councillor challenges controversial taxi policy
A local councillor has spoken out about abuse she has received over a controversial taxi policy, which was the result of a government review into best practice.
Cllr Linda Wootten defiantly addressed the cabinet in a meeting on Tuesday 12 July, saying “I take my role seriously and carry it without fear or favour, and treat everyone with respect.
“During this process, I have been accused of lying and falsehoods, and certain taxi media have encouraged rubbishing my name online.
I have remained professional at all times, and I can assure you I will not be intimidated, I will not be bullied, and I am not a liar.”
Council leader Kelham Cooke apologised to Cllr Wootten for the treatment she experienced, adding that, “We should never be intimidated and always have the confidence to speak our minds and debate.”
The review included reducing the first registration age from seven to five years, however the cabinet decided the review should take place in three months when more information is known.
The issue comes after a recent survey, the Debate Not Hate report, which found that local councillors are experiencing “increasing levels of abuse and intimidation”.
Winchester – CCTV under consideration by city council
The possibility of installing CCTV in all taxis is being explored by Winchester City Council.
A report by the Hampshire Chronicle said that the city council are working towards rolling out CCTV in 2023 when there’s sufficient resources. Cameras will record anything happening between drivers and passengers, both visually and with audio.
However, before the plans are approved, analysis will need to be carried out on crime rates and complaints to establish whether it’s necessary.
Winchester City Council are also looking to install more EV charging points, with only 35 current EV points and one electric taxi in the district. The council is championing electric taxis, which can be on the road for up to 15 years, in comparison the petrol and diesel taxis which can only be on the road for up to 12 years.
West Suffolk – Council drops plans for WAV hackney taxis
West Suffolk Council have dropped plans for a former requirement that all new taxis applied for must be WAVs (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles).
The council’s cabinet agreed to remove the requirement on Tuesday 19 July, and accepted new proposals including the merging of two taxi zones (A and B) and increasing the 10-year age limit on taxis to 15 years.
Cllr Andy Drummond approved of the changes, saying, “I am pleased cabinet has agreed to these changes. We have listened to both the taxi trade and its customers, including people who identified as having a disability or mobility issues.
“Our previous policy required all or new replacement vehicles to be WAVs. But an independent survey found that WAVs weren’t suitable for the needs of all disabled people and that a balanced fleet was required.”
The increase in the maximum age of vehicles to 15 years will also help to remove those producing the highest emissions from the roads in 2025 and support other areas for improvement within the industry.
Cllr Drummond said that merging zones A and B will further help to meet demand for WAVs across the district, after a January 2022 review showed that there was an imbalance between the two - with 12% in Zone A and over 48% in Zone B.
Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled on our newsroom for September’s regulation round-up.