ROUND THE COUNCILS
PERTH AND KINROSS: RURAL CHALLENGES TO EV FLEET
Perth and Kinross Council is aiming to electrify the local taxi trade as part of its Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, but the rural nature of the region presents significant hurdles. The local authority has set out that it is looking to “work with taxi operators to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles”. It will seek to “support taxi and private hire fleets to decarbonise and move towards low carbon fleets”. During a recent council meeting, Conservative councillor Keith Allan expressed concerns about the resistance of taxi drivers and fleet managers to adopting electric vehicles. “How are we going to cope with that and how are we going to achieve it?” he questioned. Niall Moran from the council’s Transportation and Development Team acknowledged the challenges, stating: “The taxi sector is a challenge, but we can look at what has been achieved in other areas, specifically Dundee, which has a significant proportion of electric taxis.”
He emphasised that the greater mileage required in rural areas presents a unique obstacle. However, Moran pointed to advancements in vehicle technology, such as increased range, and the expansion of charging infrastructure as key factors in overcoming these challenges. “It’s a case of just continuing to make the case and pushing the trade as much as we can,” he stated.
SWINDON: PENALTY POINTS SCHEME APPROVED
Swindon Borough Council’s licensing committee has approved a new policy which would impose penalty points on drivers for numerous infractions and if enough points are accrued, a review of the driver’s licence could follow. At the lowest level misusing the vehicle’s horn would attract three points, as would leaving a hackney carriage on the rank leaving a blockage. Smoking in the taxi would attract six points, as would parking in a rank outside the licensing district and using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. There are some sliding scale offences: poor driving
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standards, a hackney carriage driver refusing a fare at a rank without good reason, and failing to comply with conditions of the driver, vehicle or operator licence comes in at six to 12 points. While abusive or improper behaviour could receive three, 12, or any number of points in between. Licensing manager Jason Kirkwood told the committee: “When a driver has accrued 12 points unless the matter is of such seriousness that an officer decided to suspend their licence, then the officer will consider the best way forward. “That may be a licensing review which would go to a licensing sub-committee or panel. “This sort of scheme is being implemented by many licensing authorities across the country. The list of penalties is recommended in the statutory guidance.” Members of the committee were concerned that drivers should be given a chance to improve and asked about standards of evidence. Licensing officers assured them that any investigation would need solid evidence to proceed and if a licence is revoked after a subcommittee review that is appealable to a magistrates’ court within 21 days. The committee voted unanimously to recommend the policy be ratified by the full council in February, and if it is, it will come into force on April 1.
TELFORD: PLAN FOR RESTRICTED LICENCES
New restricted licences for operators, vehicles and drivers are set to be offered in the Telford area, allowing private hire drivers to take on a limited set of services, such as home-to-school transport. A report to councillors said restricted licences would represent a more “compelling offer” for private hire firms who only carry out certain types of work. A licensing committee meeting on Thursday 19 December, heard that the scheme would help Telford & Wrekin Council regulate more services locally, as without it, there was a risk operators would seek to be licensed in areas with more flexible policies. The report by the authority's licensing manager, Amitabh Singh, also said it would help ease a recruitment crisis in the trade. The report also said that “attracting new operators with new operating models will allow the council to uphold better standards in the private hire market”. If the policy is agreed, council officers would draw up the “conditions deemed necessary to ensure public safety”.
JANUARY 2025 PHTM
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