Agenda item - Hackney Carriage Stands

Report of the Acting Director of Public Health (copy attached)

7.1       The Committee considered a report of the Acting Director of Public Health providing an update on Hackney Carriage stand provision in the city.

7.2       The Public Health, Licensing Lead, Jim Whitelegg explained that the council licensed hackney carriage vehicles and private hire vehicles. The principal differences between the two licensing regimes were (i) hackney carriages could ply for hire in the streets and at taxi ranks (referred to as “stands” in legislation) whilst private hire vehicles can only accept bookings made through a private operator (ii) powers exist to limit the numbers of hackney carriages in prescribed circumstances but there is no power to limit the number of private hire vehicles (iii) the council prescribes fares for private hire bookings.

7.3       It was explained that the council had last reviewed its policy of quantity control of hackney carriages on 19 November 2015. Currently council policy limited the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences to 565 with 5 additional licences issued annually in May.

7.4       The Public Health, Licensing Lead went on to explain that a meeting had been held with stakeholders on 20 June in order to discuss concerns regarding operation of the private stand at Brighton Station. This had included Councillor Deane in her capacity as a Local Ward Councillor Councillor Deane was also a Member of this Committee and representatives of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, the Taxi Forum and Council Officers representing taxi licensing, transport and environment and GTR. The meeting had been chaired by Councillor Gill Mitchell and had followed an earlier one at which it had been agreed to seek to find an alternative location for the existing taxi rank at the front of the station where Council officers had agreed to develop some engineering proposals for relocating rank space on Stroudley Road and relocating existing parking bays. The Council had also looked at possible routeing to the north, to the east and to the south through the North Laine. This information had been put together and had been presented as two options for discussion at the meeting. GTR had also reported back on progress on how the alternative rank location could be marketed and planned to accommodate customers and current arrangements at the station. Productive discussions had taken place and stakeholders had agreed to contribute towards the cost of developing designs and solutions. A further meeting was planned in order for GTR and Council officers to develop a preferred option.

7.5       Councillor Simson welcomed the report and the fact that further ongoing discussions were taking place with the trade. Problems arose when vehicles did not wait at ranks or when over ranking occurred. It was noted that the sea front and station remained particular problem areas currently. Councillor Deane also welcomed the work that had been undertaken hoping that there would be positive outcomes as result.

7.6       The Chair Councillor, O’Quinn stated that she was taking this matter forward proactively and that it was her intention to attend meetings with the trade and other stake holders on matters germane to licensing.

7.7       RESOLVED – That the content of the report be received and noted.