PAPER D

FIRE AND PUBLIC SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE - 11 AUGUST 2003

HACKNEY CARRIAGE WORKING PARTY

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

To consider the future of the Hackney Carriage Working Party.

BACKGROUND

The Select Committee at its meeting on 30 April 2001 decided that the hackney carriage trade be approached on the establishment of an Island wide formally constituted Association to improve partnership working with the Council.

At the Select Committee held on 17 September 2001 the following was agreed :-

1.        THAT a Hackney Carriage Working Party be established and to be made up of five elected members and five members of the taxi trade, preferably representing different areas of the Island.

2.        The terms of reference to be :

           (a)       To provide a forum where taxi proprietors and the Council could consider matters of mutual future relevance on matters raised by either side with the view to achieving service improvement in terms of price, quality and safety.

           (b)       To consider the definition used by the Council for Suitably Adapted Vehicles for disabled use and make recommendations to the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee.

Since that time the Working Party has met on 6 December 2001, 22 February 2002, 4 April 2002, 19 April 2002, 4 July 2002 and 14 November 2002. Trade representatives are members of the Isle of Wight Taxi Proprietors Association.

In the light of a review undertaken by the Head of Legal and Democratic Service it is necessary to consider the future of the Working Party. It is proposed that policies in relation to a range of licensing issues, including all matters concerning hackney carriages and private hire vehicles and drivers, will be dealt with directly by the Licensing Committee.

The Licensing Committee should determine how subsequent consultation arrangements with the trade should be structured.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The role of hackney carriages in delivering public transport is recognised in the Local Transport Plan.

CONSULTATION PROCESS

The Association has been advised on this proposal. The Chairman of the Licensing Committee has also been consulted.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

The proposed arrangements regarding policy setting by the Licensing Committee is within the requirements of the Local Government Act 2000.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

None

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

Agenda and minutes of the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee held on 17 September 2001.

Contact Point : Paul Thistlewood ☎ 823285 e-mail [email protected]

ALISTAIR DRAIN

Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support