Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 June 2022 as a correct record].

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory Committee held on 15 June 2022 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

[To discuss any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting].

There were no matters arising.

[To approve the minutes of the Regulatory Sub-Committee held on 29 July 2022 as a correct record].

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory Sub-Committee held on 29 July 2022 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

[To approve the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Conditions].

Greg Bickerdike, Licensing Manager presented the report: Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Condition Update - Contactless Payments. The report sought Committee approval for the requirement of a contactless payment facility in Hackney Carriages to be included as a condition of licence. The requirement for all Hackney Carriages to offer such facility had been approved by Committee on 19 January 2022 and by including it as a condition would help facilitate enforcement against non-compliant proprietors.

The report was debated by Committee, and the Licensing Manager and Commercial Regulation Manager responded to questions asked.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1.     Approved the proposed Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence Conditions.

[To approve consultation on the updated Taxi Licensing Conditions and Guidelines].

Greg Bickerdike, Licensing Manager presented the report: Consultation on Taxi Licensing Conditions and Guidelines. The report sought Committee approval for a consultation on updated licence conditions, guidelines, and vehicle policy, in anticipation of the Department for Transport (DFT) publishing its Best Practice Guidance.

It was noted that the consultation documents would be updated to reflect the final DFT guidance, and following a twelve-week consultation, would be brought back to Committee for approval.

The report was considered by Committee, and it was suggested that Private Hire Vehicle Operators and Managers were given training to ensure their processes and procedures were correct.

The Commercial Regulation Manager welcomed this suggestion, and it was agreed that such training would be delivered through the Private Hire Trade Group meetings.

The Chair, Councillor Phil Page moved the recommendations and the Vice Chair, Councillor Rashpal Kaur seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Approved a consultation on the taxi and private hire licence conditions.
2. Approved a consultation on new ‘Guidelines for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Proprietors, Drivers and Private Hire Vehicle Operators’.
3. Approved a consultation on the vehicle licence requirements policy.
4. Noted that the consultation documents will be updated considering the Department for Transport’s anticipated Best Practice Guidance prior to consultation.
5. Noted that equivalent documentation and policies will be consulted on for the licensing function of South Staffordshire Council, which is delegated to City of Wolverhampton Council.