Agenda item

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Committee received the report of the Food, Safety and Licensing Manager to enable Members to consider the findings of the unmet demand survey conducted by CTS Traffic and Transportation Ltd on the demand for the services of hackney carriages in the district.  A copy of the survey was attached to the report.

Members were advised that the survey had been carried out in late 2016 on the basis that there were currently 108 hackney carriage vehicles in Lancaster.  CTS had concluded that there did appear to be some unmet demand for hackney carriages at this time, which may be because of the way hackney carriages were operating, and this would not best be dealt with by issuing further hackney carriage licences.  The Council would be able to defend this in court, if necessary.

The Committee was informed of the findings from the survey relating to the quantity and availability of suitable wheelchair accessible vehicles in the taxi fleet, but felt that there was insufficient detailed information to support a decision.  The Committee felt there was a need for further detailed information to be made available, which may include further analysis of the demands for wheelchair accessible vehicles, whether there are sufficient suitable vehicles within the taxi fleet and whether their availability meets the needs of disabled customers.

Mr. Ian Millership of CTS was in attendance to present the findings of the survey in detail, to outline suggested ways forward and to answer questions from Members.

On completion of his presentation, and when all questions had been asked and answered, the Chairman thanked Mr. Millership for his comprehensive report.

The Committee then considered the main options, which were set out in the Committee report as follows:

a)         To maintain the existing policy unchanged, restricting the number of hackney        carriage licences to 108; or

b)         To consider reviewing the existing policy on the issue of hackney carriage             licences and allow for an increase beyond the current number.

Members noted that, should they be minded to consider a proposal to review the existing policy on the issue of hackney carriage licences, it would be necessary to consult all current stakeholders in that process.

It was proposed by Councillor Metcalfe and seconded by Councillor Mace:

“(1)      That the existing policy, restricting the number of hackney carriage licences to 108, be maintained.

(2)        That reports be presented to the Committee at the earliest opportunity on the following:

(a)          the problems identified in the unmet demand survey in relation to wheelchair accessible vehicles and the potential options;

(b)          the action taken in relation to the matters identified in the unmet demand survey as the way forward in relation to rank provision.”

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposition, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

(1)        That the existing policy, restricting the number of hackney carriage licences to 108, be maintained.

(2)        That reports be presented to the Committee at the earliest opportunity on the following:

(c)          the problems identified in the unmet demand survey in relation to wheelchair accessible vehicles and the potential options;

(d)              action taken in relation to the matters identified in the unmet demand survey as the way forward in relation to rank provision.