ROUND THE COUNCILS MANSFIELD:
CHANGES TO POLICY APPROVED
Mansfield District Council has approved significant changes to its HC and PHV Policy, directly impacting the local trade. The amendments, recommended by the Licensing Manager, have been discussed in a report to the Licensing Committeek. The changes come in response to feedback from the taxi trade and the council’s Fleet Services, which is responsible for vehicle inspections and has identified issues due to the specifications of modern vehicles. Key Policy Amendments • Spare Tyre Requirement Altered: Modern vehicles often come without a full spare wheel, instead equipped with a smart tyre repair kit. The current policy has been limiting vehicle choices for taxi drivers due to this. The revised policy will now accept a smart repair kit or run-flat tyre as alternatives to a full spare wheel. But passengers will not be carried in vehicles with a run-flat tyre or a temporary tyre repair until a full specification wheel is refitted.
• Tow Bars and Trailers for Luggage: A significant and much-discussed change is the approval of tow bars and trailers. This amendment will allow taxis to carry more
luggage, addressing issues especially
prevalent in airport runs where luggage often exceeds boot capacity. The policy change aligns with specifications from other licensing authorities and responds to the trade’s request for better luggage handling solutions.
Implementation of the policy changes will permit vehicles to be equipped with a tow bar which will enable the use of trailers. This will allows vehicles to effectively carry luggage when boot size is limited. • Reduction in Brake Horse Power Requirement: The minimum brake horse power requirement for vehicles has been reduced from 90 to 80. This change is in line with the performance of modern vehicles and will offer a broader range of vehicle choices.
These amendments are designed to offer greater flexibility and choice to licensed drivers, improving their ability to meet customer needs without compromising public safety. The changes reflect the modernisation of vehicles and ensures the taxi fleet remains up-to-date with the latest vehicle technology. There was no public consultation on these amendments, as they were not deemed to have a significant impact on passengers or the trade.
12
COLCHESTER: WOLVERHAMPTON LICENSING CONCERNS
Cabbies have been accused of “deliberately” registering their vehicles in Wolverhampton and then operating in Colchester because it costs half the price. Colchester City Council (CCC) charges £225 to register a new PHV for three years - with there being further vehicle dependent costs. By comparison it is just £98 to do the same in Wolverhampton. The news was revealed at a council meeting where licensing bosses admitted it was a “big ongoing issue” and has sparked concerns about safety. A spokesman for CC said: “We are aware that some Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles are operating in Colchester. These vehicles must display the required signage for Wolverhampton and have undergone all necessary training and checks in their own licensing area. They
are required to follow the same
subcontracting procedures as any other operator.” The spokesman added that “passengers must be informed in advance that they are being offered a non-Colchester licensed vehicle” and that they “have the right to decline the service”. At a Licencing Committee meeting on 17 January, Christine Bell from Panther Cabs, said: “As a business owner, mother of two daughters and a nan, I would like to think every taxi driver working in Colchester has been checked and verified to work here.” In response to Christine’s statement, Paul Donaghy, licensing manager, said: “Wolverhampton will be a big ongoing issue.” He added: “We have already started investigating because the answers we’ve got aren’t great but obviously there are certain legal restrictions on what we can do currently.” Mr Donaghy said unlike other councils in Essex, it was “new” for Colchester to have Wolverhampton-plated vehicles and that councils cannot stop drivers travelling to Wolverhampton for licences. Mr Donaghy revealed there were potential plans for a “London hub” of enforcement officers and that he would meet with the region’s enforcement officer in the next few weeks. Roger Buston, licencing committee member, added: “If a driver in Colchester is now deliberately choosing to try to transfer to a lesser public safety standard for their own convenience, reward, and benefit, then Colchester Council will need to consider, possibly, that they might not be a fit and proper person to hold a Colchester licence plate in the future.”
FEBRUARY 2024 PHTM
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