Sussex wrote:
Not just content with buying an expensive two-bob motor, this fool supported by bone head LOs want to make sure everyone else has too.
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/View ... ID=1885813LICENSING COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM No.4 16 NOVEMBER 2006
PUBLIC REPORT
Cabinet Member(s):
Councillor Murphy, Environment & Community Services
Contact Officer(s):
Mike Brown, Head of Environment & Public Protection Services Tel. 01733 453527
Peter Gell, Section Head Trading Standards Tel. 01733 453419
Ken Gray, Principal Taxi Enforcement Officer Tel. 01733 452352
PEUGEOT E7 VEHICLE
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S
FROM : Ken Gray, Principal Taxi Enforcement Officer
Members are asked to select their decision from the following two options after full consideration of all the information presented.
(a) Retain the practice of Licensing only Hackney Carriage vehicles which have been approved by the Public Carriage Office in London which are wheelchair accessible and are either new or less than three years old when first licensed and licensed until twelve years of age.
(b) Alter the condition of fitness and accept the Peugeot E7 as a suitable vehicle to be used as a Hackney Carriage providing it is new or less than 3 years of age when first licensed and licensed until twelve years of age.
1. ORIGIN OF REPORT
1.1 This report is submitted to Committee to consider a request from a Licensed Hackney Carriage Driver to licence a Peugeot E7 as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle shown at Appendix 1 on page 7
1.2 2. PURPOSE AND REASON FOR REPORT
2.1 The purpose of this report is to obtain the Committee’s view on a proposed review of licence conditions.
2.2 This report is for the committee to consider under its terms of reference number 2.3 2.2.1.4: To approve (and periodically review) the standard conditions to be attached to any licence / permit / consent issued by the Council.
3. BACKGROUND
3.1 Peterborough City Council Licence Hackney Carriage Vehicles under the 1847 Town Police Clauses Act and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Section 47 of the Act states:
(a) A district council may attach to the grant of a licence of a Hackney Carriage under the Act of 1847 such conditions as the district council may consider reasonably necessary.
(b) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing sub-section, a district council may require any Hackney Carriage licensed by them under the Act of 1847 to be of SUCH DESIGN OR APPEARANCE OR BEAR SUCH DISTINGUISHING MARKS AS SHALL CLEARLY INDENTIFY IT AS A HACKNEY CARRIAGE VEHICLE.
3.2 On the 13th June 2000 the Environment Committee resolved to remove the limit on the number of Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licences and to issue licences to purpose built London Cabs with Public Carriage Office Approval, suitably equipped to carry a disabled person confined to a wheelchair.
3.3 There are currently 193 Hackney Carriage Vehicles licensed by Peterborough City Council. These are either the TX1, TX11 or Metrocab models. These are the only vehicles approved by the Public Carriage Office (the Authority responsible for approving, testing and enforcing vehicle types in the City of London) as being suitable to be used as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle.
4. MAIN BODY OF REPORT
4.1.1 London Cab currently licensed in Peterborough
This vehicle is of a distinctive design and an easy recognisable symbol both to the citizens of Peterborough and visitors to the city. The TX and Metro cab are the only vehicles currently meeting the very strict conditions of fitness of the Public Carriage Office in London. Wheelchair accessible with an unique turning circle this vehicle has a proven safety record for both drivers and passengers.
The TX and Metro cab have “Whole Vehicle Type Approval”. This is the most stringent of type approval regimes and requires compliance with over 50 European Community directives. Compliance must be demonstrated by a series of witnessed tests some of which are destructive. This regime enables vehicles to be sold throughout the European Community.
4.1.2 Peugeot E7
Based on a Peugeot body shell this vehicle is converted by the manufacturers Allied Vehicles. The manufacturers claim the E7 offers lower acquisition and operating costs, greater fuel efficiency, and better environmental performance for the benefit of operators passengers and residents.
The vehicle is wheelchair accessible and has gained “Whole Vehicle Type Approval”. The vehicle has passed the most stringent of type approval regimes and complies with over 50 E.C. directives.
The Peugeot E7 along with the VW Transport Shuttle and the Mercedes Benz Vito after consideration was not accepted as suitable for use as a Hackney Carriage Vehicle by the Public Carriage Office in London.
4.2 Your officers with the support of members have over many years in negotiations with the taxi trade achieved a fleet of highly distinctive quality vehicles which compliments the image of the city.
The introduction of the Peugeot E7 would dilute the recognition factor between the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage, particularly as the Council licenses people carriers similar to the Peugeot E7 as private hire vehicles.
4.3
To move away from the stringent Public Carriage Office standard of fitness would result in a lowering of standardsand undoubtedly see a challenge by other manufactures to allow their vehicles to be licensed in Peterborough.
4.4 It is not the intention of the Council to discourage vehicle competition within the market. Competition can give consumer choice, reduce prices, promote innovation, as well as increasing efficiency in production. To date competition has been encouraged within the boundaries of the Public Carriage Office Conditions of Fitness.
4.5 To relax the conditions of fitness and allow cheaper vehicles as Hackney Carriages could result in a sizeable increase to the number of licensed Hackney Carriage Vehicles. This could be adverse to the wishes of currently licensed Hackney Carriage proprietors who continually report that there is an over supply of Hackney Carriage vehicles at present. It has served well in the past to control quantity by requiring a high quality vehicle.
4.6 To ensure fairness in making your decision, a presentation will be given by both London Taxis International and Allied Vehicles on their respective models which then can be viewed and demonstrated in St Peters Road.
5. CONSULTATION
Officers have consulted with the following bodies.
1. P.H.A.B.
2. G.N.E.R.
3. Deaf Blind UK
4. R.N.I.B.
5. Council for Disabled
6. Private Hire Drivers Association
7. Hackney Carriage Association
8. Cambridgeshire Constabulary
9. Peterborough Passenger Transport
10. Senior Citizens Forum
11. Age Concern
12. D.P.T.A.C.
13. Spinal Injuries Association
14. Transport & General Workers Union
15. Peterborough Evening Partnership
16. Additional comments from Taxi Drivers
Comments from the above persons are attached at Appendix 2 on page 9.
6. ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
6.1 It is anticipated that the committee following consideration of this report, and presentations from the trade will determine whether there should be a change to the current licence conditions of only licensing vehicles approved by the Public Carriage Office.
6.2 If the Committee determines that there should be a change to current licence conditions, then it is anticipated that recommendations will be made as to whether the Peugeot E7 is suitable to be licensed by the Council.
7. REASON FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
The Council having received a request to change the present licence conditions of only licensing hackney carriages with Public Carriage Office approval, has put before Members two options to consider. The reasons given by the applicant to change the present licence conditions are:
1. The Peugeot E7 is a modern alternative taxi vehicle.
2. The trade is subjected to an effective monopoly in being required to accept the Public Carriage Office approved vehicle manufactured by London Taxis International now that Metro Cab have apparently ceased production.
3. Letter of application at Appendix 1 on page 7.
8. LEGAL & HUMAN RIGHTS ACT IMPLICATIONS
8.1 Contained within report.
9. WARD COUNCILLORS
The contents of this report are not specific to any particular ward.
10. BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
In accordance with the Local Government Access to Information Act 1985 background papers used in the preparation of this report were:
1. Local Government (miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
2. 1847 Town Police Clauses Act.
3. Public Carriage Office Conditions of Fitness review.
4. Spinal Injuries Association Report.
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