Taxi and Private Hire Trade Forum - 6 March 2024

10am to 1200 Wednesday 6th March 2024

Conference Room 3, Civic Centre, Southampton

Chair is Cllr Matthew Bunday

The purpose of this forum is defined as:

• A two-way exchange of information, dialogue and discussion
• To hear views, comments and concerns of the trade
• To receive information, comments, and concerns of the Licensing Team, Members and the Council as a whole.
• Not a decision making forum
• Where matters of a particular concern and where appropriate, matters raised can be referred to the Licensing Committee where a formal decision can be made.

It should be borne in mind that consultation does not necessarily mean agreement with and that consultation meetings cannot be decision making meetings.

Cllr Bunday has also invited the following people to attend:

Ian LOYNES – Spectrum

Agenda

1. Introductions/Apologies Chair
   • Apologies from Cllr Whitbread, Cllr Windle, Ian Loynes, Ali Haydor,
2. Notes from Previous Meeting Chair
3. Summary since last meeting Licensing
   • Roof signs – No feedback received.
     Roof signs were discussed, and issues associated with large roof signs. It came across that the trade liked the size of the signs as it made their hackneys stand out. However, they do cause issues and reduce aerodynamic efficiency of vehicles. Licensing agreed to remain open to suggestions from the trade and report back at the next meeting.
   • Operator Fees – see separate paper.
     The attached paper was discussed with the options. Reps feel it is unfair for an operator with a small number of vehicles to pay the same as those with hundreds of vehicles. A suggestion to have multiple tiers of vehicle numbers at increasing prices. Licensing explained that their worry was it could dissuade an operator taking on work if it meant going into the next tier and it may cost more in officer time to calculate the fee than it took to carry out the renewal process which would impact the fee and negate the savings for the smaller operators. It was reported that an increase in Operator fees were likely and this will be reported at a separate meeting later in the year.
4. Mechanical Compliance spot check failures Licensing/JR
   • The group were aware of the failures and also that mornings article in the Daily Echo. Licensing are addressing the failures with the drivers and vehicle owners involved. In future, Licensing will be taking a more robust approach with drivers presenting vehicles with obvious faults that may lead to their licences being reviewed for suspension or revocation. Will also consider the information sent out in light of this leak.
5. Minor alteration to private hire door signage design Licensing
   • Licensing presented some minor alterations to the design of the door sticker to be introduced at the next Committee Hearing. The design features a 3mm boarder with radiused corners. Licensing will not enforce changing of the June 2023 design to this design without agreement from the Forum. The group were in agreement with Licensing that the changes were so minor that there was no need for a full consultation.
6. Advertising screens inside licensed vehicles Licensing
   • Licensing have been approached by a company that wish to put advertising screens on licensed vehicles. Vehicle proprietors will get an income from this advertising and also the Council will from approving the advertising reels. Figures for revenues are not available yet. The group agreed that Licensing should continue to look into this with a view to have a full public consultation later in the year.
7. Central Station Rank Licensing/AS
   • Licensing advised the scheme had undergone three Road Safety Audits throughout the works. The final one was recently completed and took into account comments from the trade on their concerns. The RSA did not raise any concerns with the developers or council. Reps reported incidents of near misses at the feeder rank. Licensing will chase highways on the suggestion of some sort of warning on the approach. Reps also asked to let Highways know the placing of the scooter rank is getting in their way.
   • Update – the current works taking place are Hostile Vehicle Measures and drainage issues. It is not known how long they will continue.
8. The Transport Package of 2000 needs to be updated, including the extension of age of vehicles. (Age limits increase/removal) SHPHA/JR/AS
   • Trade reps expressed a desire to allow different colours for Hackneys, although some were happy with white. Also wanted all vehicles to have the same age limit of 12 years. Officers said they understood there were issues with costs of purchasing and running larger vehicles and age limits assisted with providing incentives, especially for WAVs and this was why there is a difference.
9. Taxi Rank abuse by private vehicles SHPHA/AS
   • Reps asked if tow away zone signs could be placed at ranks. This will passed to parking enforcement but SCC is unlikely to place signs unless it will actually happen.

Trade Invitees

• AE – Abdiwali ELMI - STA
• MF – Matthew FRECKLETON - Uber
• IH – Ian HALL - SHPHA
• AH – Ali HAYDOR - GMB Union Rep
• PM – Perry MCMILLAN - UNITE Union Rep
• MP – Mayuri PANDYA - Bolt
• GP – Gino PICCANINO - Elected Hackney Rep
• JR - Jamilur RAHMAN - Elected Private Hire Trade Rep
• AS – Ajmal SUDAN - SHO
• AS – Anwar SUMRA - Elected Hackney Rep

 

• SHO - Southampton Hackney Organisation
• SHPHA - Southampton Hackney and Private Hire Association
• STA - Southampton Taxi Association