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The Cabinet Member for Community Health introduced report ES/0845, the purpose of which was to report the outcome of the recent consultation exercise on the proposals required to meet the Department for Transport's (DfT) 'Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards' and the proposed changes required following a review of existing policy and guidance documents, and to agree future arrangements.
The Senior Licensing Officer reminded Members that, at their last meeting, they had approved a consultation exercise to be undertaken on the Department for Transport's (DfT) Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and the proposed changes required following a review of existing policy and guidance documents. That consultation had been undertaken from 10 May to 20 June 2021 and 19 responses had been received. Full details were set out in the report and the consultation responses were contained in Appendix D to the report.
The Senior Licensing Officer advised that much of what was suggested in the guidance had already been adopted by East Suffolk Council and it was proposed to bring the Council's policies and guidance into one policy document. The majority of responses related to CCTV and the majority of respondees stated that they would not wish it to be mandatory. The Licensing Team wished to adopt the DfT's standards for convictions and no adverse comments on that proposal had been received. Again, no adverse comments had been received on the general Taxi and Private Hire Policy.
The Committee was requested to consider the recommendations in the report.
Members raised questions relating to:
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Whether the DfT actually proposed that CCTV should be mandatory.
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Number of responses received compared to those consulted.
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Costs of CCTV and that cost being imposed on the drivers.
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If the Committee insisted on CCTV whether the Council would fund it.
The Senior Licensing Officer advised that the DfT had suggested the Council consult on whether or not CCTV in taxis should be mandatory. The consultation had been sent to about 300 drivers and proprietors, all Town and Parish Councils and it was advertised on the website. 19 responses had been received out of about 500 that had been consulted.
The Acting Legal and Licensing Services Manager advised that CCTV would be a minimum of £600 per vehicle and for all private hire vehicles and hackney carriages that would take it to a minimum total of around £221,000. The Cabinet Member for Community Health advised that the Council was not in a position to fund CCTV in taxis.
During the ensuing debate, Members were of the opinion that the trade were unlikely to be able to afford the cost of CCTV but it might be a long term aim on the production of a new vehicle. Comment was made that the DfT could fund CCTV if it insisted on it being mandatory. Members agreed that Covid had affected income and some drivers were finding it difficult to pay for their badge and the licence fees. The Senior Licensing Officer explained that the DfT was not requiring CCTV to be installed in all cars, it had just made the request to consult. In East Suffolk, there was no prevalent crime in taxis. Whilst noting that CCTV would protect both drivers and passengers, there was little interest from new drivers to take on the work and that the cost of CCTV might be a deterrent. It was suggested that the requirement for CCTV could be reviewed in one year. A Member pointed out the financial burden of introducing mandatory CCTV, and commented that the cost would be more like £800 per car and £1,000+ for a minibus, with monthly running costs of up to £30. From some of the responses, particularly in the north of the district, it seemed apparent that the drivers did not want CCTV.
In response to a question relating to vehicle inspections and the use of the Rotterdam Road depot, the Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that the depot could still undertake such checks at the present time. However, she confirmed they had to review agency garages every so often.
As far as compliance with the standards, the Senior Licensing Officer advised that the Council expected to be compliant by the end of the year and the Government would monitor that. She anticipated that the new policy would be published by the end of the year. Licensing were trying to appoint a tutor in conjunction with East Coast College to offer a course for drivers.
Some Members were of the opinion that the introduction of CCTV could be reviewed and it was proposed and seconded that such a review be considered in 12 months. There being no further debate, it was
RESOLVED
1. That it be agreed to implement the actions and proposals in respect of the DfT Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, and the existing policy and guidance documents.
2. That, subject to a review in 12 months time, it be agreed to continue with the current policy for CCTV where it is optional for drivers and vehicle proprietors to have CCTV in their licensed vehicles.