Agenda and minutes

To note any changes in membership of the Committee made in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.3.

The Committee noted that apologies had been received from Councillors Bogle, Furnell and Letts.

To elect the Vice Chair for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

The Committee elected Councillor Furnell as Vice-Chair for the remainder of this Municipal year.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2016 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Service Director – Transactions and Universal Services detailing the policy for Medical Exemption for Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Drivers under the Equality Act 2010.

The Committee considered the report of the Service Director – Transactions and Universal Services proposing a policy for Medical Exemption for Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Drivers under the Equality Act 2010.

Three errors were noted in the appendices as follows:

·  Appendix 2, third paragraph, second sentence should read “The Department for Transport’s Statutory Guidance on Access for wheelchair users recommends that vehicles should only be included in the list if it would be possible for the user of a “reference wheelchair” to enter, leave and travel in the passenger compartment in safety and reasonable comfort whilst seated in their wheelchair”;

·  Appendix 3 and Appendix 4, fourth paragraph, (b) should read “If the passenger wishes to remain in the wheelchair, to enable the passenger to get into and out of the vehicle while in the wheelchair”; and

·  Appendix 5, third page, the question “In your opinion, does this person have a medical condition or disability which would make it difficult for them to provide physical assistance to passengers in wheelchairs?” should be immediately followed by “Yes/No”.

RESOLVED

(i)  That, subject to the above amendments, the policy be approved and a list published of designated wheelchair accessible vehicles in accordance with the Department for Transport’s Statutory Guidance on Access for wheelchair users to Taxis and Private Hire vehicles as detailed in appendix 1;

(ii)  That the Exemption Procedure to enable compliance with the legislation, as detailed in appendix 2, be approved; and

(iii)  That delegated authority be granted to the Licensing Manager to maintain/amend/re-publish the list as required in the future and to amend or update the policy regarding exemptions if required in the future.