ROUND THE COUNCILS FALKIRK:
QUICK FARE RISE AMID FULL REVIEW OF POLICIES
An increase in Falkirk taxi fares is to be brought forward to help drivers cope with the soaring cost of petrol and diesel. The Daily Record reports that due to spiralling prices at the pumps, Falkirk Council’s executive agreed on 15 March that a quicker timeline than usual for processing a fare rise was necessary with any issues raised going to the June meeting of the council rather than waiting for the next executive. Cllr Laura Murtagh urged the executive to agree to speed up the process, given the exceptional circumstances. The matter was raised as part of a full review of the council’s policies that has been undertaken by a cross-party panel. Its main focus was making sure that Falkirk taxis start moving towards either electric or low emission vehicles - and also to ensure that there are enough WAVs to meet demand. But members also had to take into account the needs of a trade that has been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and make sure that any changes would keep taxi firms viable. Cllr Murtagh noted that it was important to take an “incre- mental, phased approach” - hence the panel’s suggestion that the move to EVs happens over the next six years. The panel has also suggested that ten per cent of taxis belonging to multi-plate operators must be wheelchair accessible and this will be part of the consultation. Before any consultation begins, council offers have been asked to look at what sort of incentives can be offered to taxi owners to encourage them to make the switch to EVs. Councillors heard that might include the development of Falkirk Council’s EV charging infrastructure plan to integrate with the needs of the taxi trade in the future.
PLYMOUTH: NEW TAXI LICENSING POLICY APPROVED
A fleet of green and white cabs for Plymouth is on the way, but the Plymouth Herald reports that there is now a five-year lead-in time before implementation. Plymouth’s new taxi licensing policy has now been approved by Full Council but there are some key changes following consultation with the public and the council’s scrutiny committee. Councillor John Riley, Community Safety and Licensing, said: “The green and white livery will be introduced to increase public’s confidence that they are hailing a properly- licensed and approved cab. From 1 May 2022: • There will be no limit on the number of hackney carriages • Drivers can return to the trade within three years without having to complete the knowledge test
• The Plymouth Ambassador Course and the English Spoken Test will now be pre-requisites for new drivers
60
• Both private hire and hackney carriage vehicles must take contactless payments by July 2022
• DfT recommendations for additional DBS requirements for drivers, vehicle proprietors and operators will be introduced
• Operators will be required to keep a register of all booking staff and undertake safeguarding training
• One-year licence fees and the first 12 months of a three- year licence will now be non-refundable
• A staggered approach to introduce cleaner vehicles by 2030 • Livery for new HCVs and for existing HCVs from May 2027 (PHVs can no longer be white (existing have until May 2027 to change colour).
SOUTH TYNESIDE: NEW GREENER SAFER POLICY APPROVED
To reflect the DfT’s recent statutory guidance for taxi and private hire standards and recent case law, South Tyneside Council has renewed its existing policy. The Shields Gazette reports that new policy for 2022-2027 brings together a series of separate policies covering specif- ic aspects of taxi and private hire licensing into one overarching document. A key element includes the introduction of a new emission standard for vehicles entering the trade to come into force from September 2022. Councillor Jim Foreman, cabinet member for housing and transport, presented a report on the revised policy to cabi- net on Wednesday, March 16. Cllr Foreman told the meeting: “In setting out the wider pol- icy, the authority seeks to carry out its licensing functions with a view to promoting the following four objectives. “One is the safety and protection of the public through ensuring that licenced vehicles are safe, clean and reliable and the people who drive the vehicles are fit and proper. “The second is the protection of children and vulnerable adults by placing the protection of the public at its core through mandated child sexual exploitation awareness train- ing for all drivers. “The third is supporting environmental sustainability with the introduction of an emissions standard for new cars entering the trade for the first time. “The fourth is clear and transparent clarity, regarding the authority’s decision-making processes. “A full consultation on the new policy was carried out last year with the trade and all interested parties and all respons- es have been considered and incorporated within the draft where appropriate.” The new taxi and private hire policy will be kept under review and revised and updated at least every five years. As a ‘live document’ it will also be kept up-to-date with regards to any government changes and any changes that the council “deems necessary”.
APRIL 2022
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104
