Decision details

To decide whether officers may go out to consult on the proposed changes.

Questions from members of the public.

Mr Wratten read out an email form Michael Peacock responding to the report that made the following comments:

       i.        In over 20 years as a taxi driver, he had never used either the first Aid kit or the Fire Extinguisher.

     ii.        Vehicles licenced outside Cambridge did not need to carry this equipment.

    iii.        Incorrect use of equipment could make an emergency situation worse.

   iv.        Supported the proposal for taxis to have card readers.

     v.        Questioned the age restrictions on replacement vehicles. If a four year old taxi was written off replacing it with a vehicle of the same age this would not add to air pollution.

The Committee received a report from Team Manager (Commercial & Licensing) regarding a review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

     i.        Deaths related to poor air quality were on the increase. Any improvement in emissions was to be encouraged.

    ii.        Newer cars resulted in less harmful emissions and age restrictions on taxi should not be relaxed.

   iii.        Requiring Taxi drivers carrying First Aid Kits and Fire Extinguishers was a public health asset.

  iv.        The Committee might want to consider first aid training for all drivers as a later date.

   v.        Card readers were a business decision and should be left to the individual business to decide.

  vi.        Standard livery for Cambridge Hackney Carriages was to be encouraged as long as it could be phased in so that the financial burden on drivers was not onerous.

 vii.        Members could see both benefits and drawback of rear access, wheelchair accessible, vehicles.

The Committee:

Resolved (unanimously)

        i.        To approve that officers go out to consult on of the proposed changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, using the form within Appendix B of the Officer’s report. The results of the consultation would then be presented at the next full meeting of the Licensing Committee in October 2017.