Agenda and minutes

Members received an update of the Welsh Government’s Consultation Document on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing in Wales, dated 12 June 2017 and were asked to approve a draft response to the consultation on behalf of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.

It was noted that the draft response (Appendix 2 of the circulated report) was the combined effort of Cardiff, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Council’s.

It was also noted that public consultation was launched by Welsh Government on 12 June 2017 and closed on 8 September 17, officers explained that an extension had been granted and the response would be submitted to Welsh Government week commencing 11 September 2017.

Officers highlighted that this was the first consultation phase, and that there would be another round of consultation in due course.

RESOLVED:      that the draft response to the Welsh Government consultation on Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing in Wales, be approved.

Members were updated in relation to licensing matters for the period 2016-2017.

RESOLVED:      that the licensing matters for the period of 2016-2017 as detailed in the circulated report, be noted.

Members were provided with an overview in respect of a request to increase the maximum permitted fare level which a Hackney Carriage may charge.  Officers asked for Members views on whether the maximum fare level should be increased or remain the same. 

Officers clarified that the decision as to whether to increase the maximum fare level is an Executive function; therefore the decision could not be made by the Registration and Licensing Committee. 

It was noted that there has been no fare increase since May 2011, Members were given information outlining the current tariff, and four proposals regarding possible fare increases.

Officers explained that a consultation exercise had been carried out with Neath Port Talbot Hackney Carriage Proprietors, the consultation resulted in 13 responses being received, 5 responses opposed to an increase, 5 in favour of an increase, and 3 presented their own proposals for an increase.

RESOLVED:      that the committee’s view would be to increase the hackney carriage maximum fare by:

·               .25p increase on the starting fare on tariff 1.

·               .30p increase on the starting fare on tariff 2.

·               The days for which tariff 3 is effective to  remain unchanged. The hours for which tariff  2 is effective to remain unchanged.

RESOLVED:      that pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following item of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

The Committee was asked to determine if the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driving Licence.

Members received the circulated report and noted that the Applicant had submitted a medical report, passed the Council’s knowledge test and provided a DBS Certificate.

The applicant was present at the meeting and made representations to the Committee regarding convictions recorded on the DBS check.

RESOLVED:      that the application be refused as the applicant was not a fit and proper person to hold a hackney carriage and private hire driver licence due to the nature and number of convictions revealed on the applicant’s driving licence and DBS check.