Agenda item - Hackney Carriage Unmet Demand Survey and Consultation on Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Provision

Report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection (copy attached)

18.1         The Hackney Carriage Officer introduced the report and noted that the hackney carriage unmet demand survey was due to be undertaken during 2012 and that the Committee was asked to confirm the restricted numbers policy for hackney carriage vehicles, with managed growth of five additional WAV plates issued annually to wheelchair accessible vehicles.

18.2         Councillor Simson asked how many people were on the waiting list.

18.3         The Hackney Carriage Officer confirmed that approximately 120 people were on the current waiting list.

18.4         Members of the Committee expressed their concern over the possibility of the unmet demand survey raising expectations that more plates would be made available and the potential impact on the livelihoods of those with plates.  However, it was also felt that the process of managed growth was the best way of maintaining the situation and that the restricted numbers policy should be kept in place despite being criticised by government and others.

18.5         RESOLVED:

(1)   That the restricted numbers policy for hackney carriage vehicles with managed growth of five additional WAV plates issued annually to wheelchair accessible vehicles be endorsed, and subject to review following the consultant’s report on the unmet demand survey; and

(2)   That any report should compare current policies and provision with other similar authorities in England to provide evidence in relation to the perceived or actual problem of availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles and consultation with local stakeholders.