We are seeking your comments on the following:

The existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy came into effect from 1 October 2011. The Licensing Service has undergone a number of changes since this time. As a consequence it has been identified that some areas of the policy require amendment in order to facilitate the work the service is undertaking with regard to enforcement and compliance.

On the 19th of March 2014 the Strategic Licensing Committee were consulted in regard to the proposal for reviewing the existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy, since this time a number of Taxi Forums have been undertaken across the County in order to give the Trade the opportunity to identify areas of the policy that they may have suggestions for improvements which could be made.  On the 21 May 2014 the Strategic Licensing Committee agreed for the consultation to commence based on Item 8 Appendix D and C below for the period of the 2 June 2014 to midnight on the 24 August 2014.   

The current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy has been amended to capture the existing requirements of the Licensing Service the amended version can be found at Item 8 Appendix D below.

A summary of the proposed improvements suggested by the Trade has been collated and is attached at Item 8 Appendix C below.

A link to a copy of the full report considered by the Strategic Licensing Committee on the 21 May 2014 can also be found below.

At the time of writing the Strategic Licensing Committee report the Law Commission Consultation on Taxi Legislation had not been published, if this document is published during the consultation period a link will be added to this consultation page for information.  

Documents

• Item 8 Review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.pdf
• Item 8 Appendix A.pdf
• Item 8 Appendix B.pdf
• Item 8 Appendix C.pdf
• Item 8 Appendix D.pdf
• Item 8 Appendix E.pdf
• Amended Emissions proposal.pdf

We are really keen to hear your comments on both the amended policy and the improvements suggested by some of the trade so far.

We would like to know what improvements could be made to the policy which would support your business. 

Please do not submit comments before this consultation opens on 2 June 2014.

To make any comments please contact us using contact details on this page.

Any comments received will be considered by the Council’s Strategic Licensing Committee on the 24 September 2014.  The proposed revised policy, with any further modifications agreed by the Committee, will then be considered by the Cabinet and the Council.  It is the Council’s aim that the new policy will be adopted and brought into force with effect from the 1 of April 2015.