Agenda item

To receive an update on the discussions at the July Taxi Trade Liaison Group meeting.

Moira Fraser, policy and Governance Officer presented the Taxi Liaison Meeting update.  She stated that the drivers’ participation to meetings was improving.

Moira Fraser asked the Committee to consider whether or not to continue to suspend the age limit for vehicles for another year.  The trade had argued at the meeting that vehicles had travelled less during Covid, therefore they felt that the period should be prolonged.

The trade raised the issue of Wokingham drivers not being able to use bus lanes in Reading.  It was ascertained that drivers could use some of bus lanes only.

The trade continued to argue that the competition with Uber was unfair.  However, the legal advice was that Uber had the right o operate in Wokingham.  The Local Authority’s only power was if Uber drivers contravened the law, for example by parking illegally or plying for hire.

Councillor Firmager believed that Wokingham should continue to lobby to get Wokingham drivers to be able to use all of Reading’s bus lanes;

Councillor Burgess proposed that the suspension of the age of vehicles be continued for another year.  She was seconded by Councillor Kerr.

Councillor Kerr stated that having vehicles operating for another year was not more polluting to the environment, as compared to the impact on emissions of having to produce a new vehicle.

In response to a question, Sean Murphy was of the opinion that the Licensing and Appeals Committee could make and alter conditions on the Taxi and Private Hire Policies.  However, fees subsidy decisions were within the remit of the Executive.

Councillor Ferris was in agreement that Wokingham should support drivers’ plea to use Reading’s bus lanes, and Councillor Younis added that such discussions needed to take place at a level.  Sean Murphy agreed to follow this up.

In response to a comment, Julia O’Brien, Principal Officer Compliance and Enforcement stated that the Taxi and Private Hire Policies were being reviewed and would be brought for consideration to the January meeting of the Committee.

In response to a question Julia O’Brien stated that West Berkshire did not have an age limit for vehicles and Bracknell had an 8 year limit for private hire and 10 years for hackney carriages.  Sean Murphy added that discussions around age limits and conditions would take place in January when the policies were due to be considered.

Councillor Younis was of the opinion that there should be consistency in relation to vehicles’ policies, given that vehicles travelled on the roads of neighbouring authorities.  He also believed that black cabs and private hire vehicles should be allowed to use bus lanes.

Sean Murphy stated that there was consistency within the local authorities in relation to convictions.  

There was a debate in relation to the mechanism to be followed in order to put forward the recommendations arising as a result of discussions at the meeting.  It was proposed that these recommendations would be put in the formal report to the January meeting.

Councillor Bowring express concern that the decision on the age condition for vehicles did not relate to an agenda item.  However, there was no consensus on this.

Members were of the opinion that due to the fact that the vehicle age suspension had finished on 30 September, a decision was needed on this issue was needed urgently.

The advice from Democratic Services was that a decision be undertaken and that if subsequently it was ascertained that further approval was needed, this would be arranged.

Upon being put the vote most Members voted in favour of continuing with the vehicle age suspension for a further year.

Councillor Burgess asked for an update on:

·           Conversations with Transport for London (TfL) in relation to Uber

·           The fee structure audit

·           The request to treat school transport differently

Julia O’Brien stated that there had been various attempts to engage with TfL, but unfortunately there had been no responses.  She agreed to try again to speak with someone.

Moira Fraser stated that the trade had argued that school transport did not operate all year round and as such should be given a discount on their fees.  However, it took the same amount of time for Officers to process applications for school transport licences, therefore it was not possible to offer a reduction on fees.  Julia O’Brien added that there would be an opportunity to discuss school transport, as part of the policy being considered in January.

In response to comments, Sean Murphy stated that he would work with Officers at a senior level, and the relevant Executive Members to promote the use of Reading’s bus lanes by Wokingham drivers.

The Chairman expressed concern that Wokingham was not able to offer a reciprocal arrangement as Wokingham did not have many bus lanes.  He also pointed out that Reading was keen to protect the interest of their own drivers and urged Officer to be cautious in relation to this issue.

Moira Fraser stated that she would circulate the audit breakdown of fees which had been submitted to the PPP.  Sean Murphy pointed out that this methodology might change when the service moves to Wokingham.  David Thrale stated that initially there would be no changes to the methodology as the same computer system would be used. 

RESOLVEDThat;

1)     The age restriction for vehicles be suspended for a further year;

2)     Officers would continue to try to communicate with TfL about Uber related issues; and

3)     Sean Murphy would liaise with senior officers and the relevant Executive Members in relation to the use of Reading bus lanes by registered Wokingham drivers.