Decision details

The Chief Executive submitted a report informing Committee of the outcome of consultation on:

·       Provision of Hackney Carriages which are wheelchair accessible.

·       Retention of the requirement for 8 Hackney Carriages to be licensed with a requirement for fitting of an ELAP seat.

·       Any replacement of a vehicle with an ELAP seat to be by a side entry wheelchair accessible vehicle.

·       Introduction of disability awareness training on renewal of drivers’ licence.

It was noted that 8 Hackney Carriage drivers and two Private Hire drivers responded to the consultation.  Members found it disappointing that there were no responses from representatives of groups of users.

The general consensus from the responses was that ELAP seats should not be required as they were barely used; ELAP seat vehicles should not be replaced by side wheelchair accessible Hackney vehicles and there was no desire to expand the side entry wheelchair accessible Hackney fleet.

Whilst there was a mixed reception to the introduction of disability awareness training on licence renewal, Members felt strongly that it should be introduced.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

Approve an amendment of the policy to provide that the conditions for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers shall be extended to include a condition that:

“A driver shall undergo disability awareness training provided by the Blue Lamp Trust on application for a new licence, or on the next renewal after 1 April 2024, and shall undergo refresher training at 5 year intervals”.