Agenda item - Chair's Communications

3.1       The Chair announced that following the decision to refuse renewal of Uber’s Private Hire Operators Licence, Uber had appealed the decision and a pre-trial review date had been set for the 5^th November 2018.

3.2       An implementation date for the new vehicle emission standards for 1^st applications and replacement vehicles had been set for the 1^st September 2018.

3.3       It was announced that BHCC was currently engaged with the taxi trade over the installation of electrical charging points within the City. It was clarified that presentations were given by Paul Richardson in recent Taxi Trade meetings establishing this area of technology was developing as an efficient and cost saving energy utility. It was stated that BHCC had secured funding for residential electrical charging points from the Government’s Officer for Lew Emission Vehicles (OLEV) and a report for the residential electric vehicles charging point report would be considered by the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on the 26^th June 2018. It was noted that BHCC were to install up to 50 black taxis free of charge which would be used to retrieve data and provide recommendations for charging points. It was confirmed that this installation would be used to launch a funding bid for the implementation of taxi rank electric vehicle charging points anticipated for March 2019.

3.4       Rebecca Sidell, Lawyer, gave a brief update regarding the appeals against refusal to grant Hackney Vehicle Licenses. She clarified that all relevant personnel had attended court prepared to give evidence however in light of the overwhelmingly strong case against them, their barrister convinced the appellants to withdraw their case with costs awarded to the Council. It was concluded that a deputation may come to the Licensing Committee in future.