Agenda item

To receive and consider a report outlining the Criteria Policy for Licensed Vehicles.

The Committee considered the Criteria Policy for Licensed Vehicles report which was set out in agenda pages 13-52.

Laura Driscoll, Principal Officer, Public Protection Partnership introduced the report and stated that the report contained the criteria proposal and the results of the consultation.

Laura Driscoll stated that the proposal included dimensions for wheelchair accessibility, as per the Committee’s request.  The dimensions were based on guidelines issued in the Republic of Ireland. 

During the discussion of the item the following comments were made:

·           In response to a question Julia O’Brien, Licensing Team Leader stated that West Berkshire did have a wheelchair accessibility policy.  All vehicles in their fleet were wheelchair compliant, apart from 4 vehicles which had a swivel seat and had a protected plate;

·           Councillor Ferris asked if there was a list of models that the drivers could use as a guide to buy their vehicles.  He was also interested to know if the assessments that had been carried out had been undertaken under this guidelines which had not yet been approved;

·           Laura Driscoll stated that the issue was that models varied depending on which year they were produced and the commercial model.  She stated that measurements were a more reliable method and she expected that anyone looking to purchase a vehicle would be able to use it;

·           Julia O’Brien confirmed that the assessments had been carried out against the current policy;

·           Julia O’Brien informed that most of the fleet had now been checked by the RAC (on behalf of the Licensing Authority), 75 vehicles had been checked with 5 still outstanding.  The result was that 45% of the cars that were checked were compliant;

·           Councillor Soane asked what would happen if a driver purchased a vehicle in accordance to this guidelines and then subsequently the government issued a different policy;

·           Councillor Richards pointed out that the government usually allowed for a period of around two years so that people could adjust to the new policy;

·           Councillor Shepherd-DuBey suggested that training should be given to drivers in relation to Special Educational Needs (SEN) students, especially those involved in school transport.  Julia O’Brien stated that such training was already in place and that all drivers undertook disability awareness training;

·           Councillor Richards stated that it was necessary to include within the guidelines the recommended ramp gradient;

·           Councillor Burgess asked if consideration in relation to the financial impact on current drivers had been taken into account;

·           Laura Driscoll stated that it was for the Committee to decide how this new policy would apply to current vehicles.  She recommended that a significant amount of time be allowed for drivers to comply so that drivers did not incur in an immediate financial burden;

·           Councillor Halsall felt uneasy expressing an opinion in this matter which involved an environmental impact and the livelihood of drivers.  He proposed that a working group be set up to look at this issue in more detail;

·           Councillor Ferris stated that he was not sure the figures were correct or not, but it was a starting point.  He believed that it was a good idea to set up a working group and that a representative from the trade should be invited to take part;

·           In response to a question Julia O’Brien stated that the main issue with deferring a decision was that drivers would still not be certain which vehicles they should buy;

·           Laura Driscoll stated that one option was to ask that all vehicles be purposefully built, however this option would be unpopular because such cars were more expensive;

·           Councillor Richards suggested adding the measurements as an appendix to the policy in order to facilitate changes as and when necessary;

·           Members stated that in drawing up the policy, consideration in relation to the environment should be given;

·           Councillor Halsall stated that in his personal experience the sizes and technology of wheelchairs had changed considerably in recent years; therefore he was concerned with adding measurements to the policy.

Members were in favour or deferring the decision and to create a working group to look at the proposed policy in more details.  It was agreed that existing licences would be extended until a new policy was adopted.

RESOLVED That:

1)     A working group will be formed to discuss the proposed Criteria Policy for Licensed Vehicles;

2)     The working group will include elected Members, Licensing Officers, Environment Officers and a representative from the trade;

3)     The working group’s recommendations will be brought back for the Committee’s consideration at its September meeting.