Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Davies, Whittle and Windows.

None.

Any member of the public or councillor may participate in Public Forum. The detailed arrangements for so doing are set out in the Public Information Sheet at the back of this agenda. Please note that the following deadlines will apply in relation to this meeting:

Statements and petitions

Petitions and statements must be received by noon on the working day prior to the meeting.  For this meeting, this means that your submission must be received at the latest by 12.00 noon on Monday 14^th August 2017.

The notice should be addressed to the Service Director, Legal and Democratic Services, c/o The Democratic Services Team, City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS3 9FS, email democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk

            The total time allowed for public forum business is 30 minutes.

None.

Recommended – that those Committee Procedure Rules relating to the moving of motions and the rules of debate (CMR10 and 11) be suspended for the duration of the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the committee procedure rules relating to the moving of motions and the rules of debate (CMR 10 and 11) be suspended for the duration of the meeting.

The Committee is asked to:

Agree to allow the renewal of Hackney carriage licences following the transfer of a licence from a proprietor who has the benefits of the grandfather rights provision to a new proprietor who does not have the benefit of Grandfather Rights with effect from 1 September 2017; and

Agree to allow an amendment to the policy to specify that other vehicles e.g. petrol driven Euro 5 emission standard vehicles may be acceptable provided they comply with all aspects of the policy.

The committee considered a report setting out proposed Hackney carriage vehicle policy changes with specific reference to an amendment to “grandfather” rights provision and to the emissions policy.

Main points raised/noted:

a. The report essentially picked up two particular issues that needed to be clarified following the committee’s approval (on 28 February 2017) of a number of policy changes regarding the administration of Hackney carriage licences. 

As per the report, the committee was asked to give approval to:

* allow the renewal of Hackney carriage licences following the transfer of a licence from a proprietor who has the benefits of the “grandfather” rights provision to a new proprietor who does not have the benefit of “grandfather” rights, with effect from 1 September 2017.

* to allow an amendment to the emissions policy to specify that other vehicles, e.g. petrol driven Euro 5 emission standard vehicles may be acceptable provided they comply with all aspects of the policy.

b. Following discussion, the committee indicated their general support for these two policy amendments.  It was noted that the Hackney carriage trade was supportive of these policy amendments.

c. Others issues/points raised in discussion:

* It was noted that an application for a judicial review of the Hackney carriage policy decisions taken by the committee on 28 February 2017 had been refused.

* In relation to emissions, it was suggested that, as a sustainable city, and mindful that the city was not meeting its air quality targets, Bristol should look to proactively encourage, facilitate and, if appropriate incentivise the take up of electric vehicles by the trade into the future.  It was noted, for example, that the London Taxi Company was currently launching a new electric version of their black cab, and that some incentives were being given to encourage take up, with Transport for London also appointing the suppliers who would provide the rapid charging points required.  Further work would be progressed on how best to encourage the take-up of electric vehicles by the trade in Bristol.  Approval of the recommendation in today’s report would in the meantime support the aim of improving air quality.

The committee then

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be given to allow the renewal of Hackney Carriage licences following the transfer of a licence from a proprietor who has the benefits of the “grandfather” rights provision to a new proprietor who does not have the benefit of “grandfather” rights with effect from 1 September 2017.

2. That approval be given to allow an amendment to the emissions policy to specify that other vehicles, e.g. petrol driven Euro 5 emission standard vehicles may be acceptable provided they comply with all aspects of the policy.

The Committee is asked to agree to adopt the proposed changes to the draft Fit and Proper Person Policy as set out in the report.

The committee considered a report setting out proposed changes to the Hackney carriage and private hire Fit and Proper Person policy.

Main points raised/noted:

a. The committee noted that the proposed policy changes were documented at paragraph 17 of the report.

b. It was noted that the trade had not raised any issues or concerns in relation to the introduction of mandatory training for existing licensed drivers.

c. In relation to the proposed medical test requirements, members were generally supportive of the proposed policy.  It was suggested that in the first instance, the expectation should normally be that a driver should provide evidence of their health/fitness through a medical examination report from their GP as they would have relevant details of drivers’ personal medical health histories.  If this was not possible, a medical assessment could be carried out through the Council’s commissioned occupational health service.  It was noted that the trade had requested the option of drivers also being able to seek an assessment from an external provider(s).   In the interests of public safety, irrespective of the way in which the assessment was sought, members confirmed that it would be essential to ensure accurate and up-to-date medical assessments.   It was noted that in supporting the policy at today’s meeting, the committee recognised that further work would need to be undertaken by officers to firm up the detail of implementing the policy in this regard.

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the adoption of the proposed changes to the Hackney carriage and private hire Fit and Proper Person Policy as set out in the report, and that it be noted that, as per c. above, further work will be undertaken by officers on the detail of implementing the policy in relation to medical tests and assessments.

The Committee is asked to:

(a) Agree to adopt a policy for advertising displayed on Hackney carriage vehicles

(b) Amend the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Policy to alter the location on which advertising can be displayed.

(c) To amend the Hackney Carriage vehicle licence conditions to permit advertising in accordance with the proposed amendments to the vehicle policy.

(d) To amend the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles Inspection Standards to permit advertising/tints on a vehicles rear window.

The committee considered a report setting out a proposed policy for advertising displayed on Hackney Carriage vehicles.

Main points raised/noted:

a. The committee noted that the policy set out specific requirements in relation to advertising content, and on the licence holder’s responsibilities in terms of adhering to the policy.

b. It was noted that the trade was supportive of the policy.

c. It was noted that an advertising policy was also being developed in relation to private hire vehicles.  This would be the subject of a future report to the committee.

RESOLVED:

That, as per the report, approval be given to:

1. Adopt the policy for advertising on Hackney Carriage vehicles.

2. Amend the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Policy to alter the location on which advertising can be displayed.

3. Amend the Hackney Carriage vehicle licence conditions to permit advertising in accordance with the proposed amendments to the vehicle policy.

4. Amend the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles inspection standards to permit advertising/tints on a vehicle’s rear window.

The Committee is asked to:

Note the responses received as part of the external consultation

Adopt the Private Hire Vehicles - Exemption from requirement to display vehicle identification plate policy with effect from 1 September 2017.

The committee considered a report setting out a proposal to adopt the Private Hire Vehicles – Exemption from requirement to display vehicle identification plate policy with effect from 1 September 2017.

Main points raised/noted:

a. It was noted that the report set out the detail of the external consultation carried out.

b. Committee members generally indicated their support for the proposal, noting that, as per paragraph 11 of the report, it was proposed that applications for exemption from the requirement to display identification places would be considered where prescribed requirements were met.  These requirements were primarily related to work undertaken that was of an “executive” nature. 

c. Cllr Eddy, however queried the need for these proposals, indicating that he was not aware of any complaints in relation to current practice.

RESOLVED (with Councillor Eddy voting against):

1. That the responses received as part of the external consultation be noted.

2. That approval be given to adopt the Private Hire Vehicles – Exemption from requirement to display vehicle identification plate policy with effect from 1 September 2017.