To adopt the amended Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy following vehicle criteria amendment. 

1.      That the amendment to the Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy, as set out at Paragraph 2.3 of the report, in relation to vehicle requirements be ADOPTED.

2.      That the revised Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy, attached at Appendix C to the report, incorporating the revised wording which the Licensing Committee agreed at its meeting on 16 February 2023, be ADOPTED.  

101.1         The report of the Licensing Operations and Development Team Leader, circulated at Pages No. 198-257, asked Members to consider an amendment to the current Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy in relation to vehicle requirements to specify that all converted vehicles which had not been re-categorised on the V5 (vehicle logbook) provided documentation to demonstrate the vehicle was safe and to adopt the updated vehicle requirements for Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Vehicle Policy agreed by the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 16 February 2023.

101.2         The Licensing Operations and Development Team Leader explained that in 2021, 53 vehicles had been identified as being category N on the logbook (goods vehicle converted to passenger vehicle) and those should have gone through the relevant tests – those owners had been written to and advised to get their logbooks updated; however, the DVLA would not update the logbooks so the Council had indicated it would be satisfied if those vehicles were taken to a DVLA test station and declared to be safe for the use of carrying passengers. This had been undertaken and the Council was satisfied that all historic vehicles were safe.

101.3         During the 12 week consultation with all licence holders, one representation had been received, which was contained within the appendices to the report along with the response from the Licensing Operations and Development Team Leader. Further to the consultation, and approval by the Licensing Committee, it was proposed to include a requirement in the Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and Private Hire Licensing Policy regarding accessible vehicle conversions and this was set out at Paragraph 2.3 of the report.

101.4         Accordingly, it was