ROUND THE COUNCILS
NORTH AYRSHIRE: NEW DRESS CODE PROPOSALS
North Ayrshire’s dress code for taxi drivers has been overhauled for the first time since 2000. Proposals from the Licensing Board suggest that the licence holder must conduct themselves in a proper and civil manner and be clean and tidy. The board suggests that drivers shouldn’t wear a hat, cap or any other headgear while driving. They recommend trousers should be full length with tracksuit trousers not acceptable. Polo shirts must be one colour with a collar with no lettering except a small manufacturer’s logo – though a company name or logo is allowed. T-shirts with a round neck, football attire or club colours would not be acceptable. Dress shorts may be worn at any time of year, provided they have belt hoops and are one colour. Shorts or jeans are not allowed, neither is highly patterned or advertising printing. Any tie should be a clip-on style for the driver’s own personal safety. Jumpers, either crew or V-neck are permitted, hoodies are not and footwear may be shoes or training shoes. Sandals and flip flops are not appropriate. Departure from these requirements is allowed only where particular clothing is required by the traditional and customary practices of the licence holder’s particular religious, ethnic or other cultural group. Cllr Nairn McDonald said he would be happy if drivers wore dark jeans, and chair Eleanor Collier agreed. The chair also suggested smart skirts could be acceptable. The committee agreed to further discuss the policy before it is put out to consultation with the Taxi Owners’ Association organisations along with independent drivers who are not members.
TORBAY: CONSULTATION ON TAXI NUMBERS
A consultation has been launched to see if taxi numbers in Torbay should be increased. Torbay Council currently only allows 169 HC vehicle licences. It is asking taxi drivers, businesses and customers whether there are enough taxis to serve public demand. This ‘unmet demand study’ has to be carried out every three years as set out in guidance by the DfT. The consultation was launched on 26 February and runs until May 19. The two options now being
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consulted on are: • To remove the limit. This would mean that anyone could apply for a HC vehicle licence in Torbay (subject to fulfilling the application requirements and vehicle specifications)
• To keep the current limit of 169 HC vehicle licences To take part in the consultation, click here:
https://shorturl.at/irwSW Following the consultation, a report will be presented to the Licensing Committee so members can make a final decision.
READING: LIMIT ON HACKNEY LICENCES RETAINED
Figures have been revealed from a survey conducted last year to determine whether there is ‘unmet demand’ for cabs in Reading. The current limit of hackney carriage licences is 216. Options to keep or relax the limit were recently discussed at a Reading BC licensing applications committee. Asif Rashid, chairman of the Reading Taxi Association (RTA) said: “This report was very thorough, it’s overdue, the results aren’t surprising. What does stick out is that there has been a drop in trade.” Data from the survey showed a 27% drop since 2019. Mr Rashid said the ‘most significant’ statistic was that 85% of passengers travelled at times when there was no delay to get a cab at all. Syed Abbas, a driver who rents his cab, called for the limit to be eased so that he and others can make the switch from being cab renters to cab owners. Mr Abbas said: “We request that the licensing committee, officers, our RTA union and all other hackney owners to come forward and give deserving drivers the opportunities to get their licences. “If the council issues five licences per year for three years that will help all the deserving drivers who have been working for more than 15 years.” Councillors argued that removing the limit could only be justified if there is an increase in demand. Cllr Tony Page (Labour) said: “Given the catastrophic government we have, it’s hardly surprising.” He thanked cab drivers for their work during the pandemic. Cllr Paul Woodward (Labour), the committee chairman hoped the demand for cabs would increase as the economy improves. Ultimately, the committee decided to retain the limit on hackney carriage licences at 216 at the meeting on Tuesday, February 20.
MARCH 2024 PHTM
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