This consultation was launched a month ago and has in fact now ended, but for whatever reason it was just publicised in the local press a few days ago.
Anyway, suspect it's quite unusual for cars to need a new plate up to three times per year, but this is tied with the council's requirement to test older cars three times per year. And this is for cars just five years old, so obviously quite onerous. But, of course, the stringency here largely due to the Jay and Casey reports on Child Sexual Exploitation, as mentioned in the council's press release.
Consultation launched on changes to taxi licence plates
https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/news/artic ... nce-plates
Image: Rotherham Advertiser
A consultation is underway on plans to alter the issuing of taxi vehicle licence plates across the borough.
Based on feedback received during consultation, the Council is now consulting on a draft proposal to issue a vehicle licence plate annually, rather than at each compliance check.
The Council believe that this is more efficient for officers and drivers, will reduce the associated costs of licensing a vehicle, and reduce the impact on the environment.
Following the Jay and Casey reports of 2013 and 2015, the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy was reviewed and improved significantly.
It included a requirement that all licensed vehicles must undergo regular compliance checks, the number of which are determined by the age of the vehicle:
- Under 3 years – 1 test per year
Between 3-5 years – 2 tests per year
Over 5 years – 3 tests per year
To support this, the current Policy is that vehicle licence plates (the physical plate displayed on the taxi itself) are issued for the duration between compliance checks, so a vehicle that is over five years in age is issued with three licence plates a year.
Due to the additional checks that the Council are now able to undertake through online systems, it is proposed that the Council changes its policy and issue only one licence plate a year to drivers with the number of compliance checks staying the same.
This would reduce the number of plates printed and issued by approximately 1500 every year, whilst also saving the licensed trade approximately £28,785 a year.
Furthermore, the Council are required to dispose of all expired plates which are non-recyclable, meaning that 112 square metres of plastic is currently sent to landfill unnecessarily every year.
Cabinet Member for Waste, Roads & Community Safety, Councillor Emma Hoddinott, said: “The Council’s taxi licensing policy has come a long way since changes were introduced in 2015 and we are committed to further improving taxi licensing for customers, drivers and operators.
“We are keen to hear the public's views on whether the license plates on the car should be tied to the date of inspections, or whether this requirement is no longer needed."
This public consultation period will end on 15th January 2021, when a proposal will be written and presented to the Council’s Cabinet.
You can view the consultation on the Council website here http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/consultation-feedback
Published: 16th December 2020
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