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Taxi Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles was 41 - Currently now only 5
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TOPIC: Taxi Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles was 41 - Currently now only 5
Taxi Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles was 41 - Currently now only 5 1 year ago #1
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Agenda Item 3
EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL LICENSING COMMITTEE 5 December 2023 Report by Clerk to the Licensing Committee WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE POLICY PURPOSE OF REPORT 1. To seek Committee’s approval to commence a consultation with the trade, public and relevant disability rights groups to provide information to inform potential changes to the Council’s current wheelchair accessible vehicle policy. RECOMMENDATION 2. That the Committee authorises the Clerk to: (a) Commence consultation with relevant stakeholders to ingather information regarding the current availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles to the public and the demand for such vehicles; (b) Undertake an Equalities Impact Assessment to inform any future changes to the policy; and (c) Bring a further report to Committee in early 2024 with proposals as to any recommended changes to the policy. BACKGROUND 3. In April 2021, as a result of the financial impacts of the Covid pandemic upon members of the taxi trade, East Renfrewshire Council Licensing Committee agreed to relax its previous policy whereby all applications for the grant of new taxi and private hire car licences required to be submitted in respect of vehicles which were wheelchair accessible (WAV’s). From that juncture, only new taxi car applications required to meet this criteria. The Committee at that time also determined to review the position once experience of the new regime had been gained. REPORT 4. At the time of the decision to relax restrictions in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles operating under East Renfrewshire Licences numbered 41. As at today’s date this number has dropped dramatically both as a result of lapsed licences and drivers replacing wheelchair accessible vehicles with vehicles which did not provide that facility at the time of licence renewal. Recent investigation suggests that there are only 5 such vehicles currently licensed. 5. At the introduction of the policy, it was agreed that the policy would be reviewed to determine its effectiveness and to decide what changes, if any, should be implemented. This review is now required to consider the impact of this reduction in wheelchair accessible vehicles and to identify mechanisms which will meet the interests of both the disabled population and the trade. The review requires to be informed by the views of relevant stakeholders and on that basis authority is sought to commence a consultation with those groups over the next few months. 6. Any policy decision made by the Council which is likely to affect individuals with protected characteristics under the Equalities legislation should be screened and assessed for its impact prior to the policy being determined. An impact assessment will allow the findings of such assessment to inform the Committee’s ultimate consideration of the policy. RECOMMENDATION 7. That the Committee authorises the Clerk to: (a) Commence consultation with relevant stakeholders to ingather information regarding the current availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles to the public and the demand for such vehicles; (b) Undertake an Equalities Impact Assessment to inform any future changes to the policy; and (c) Bring a further report to Committee in early 2024 with proposals as to any recommended changes to the policy. Report Author: Gerry Mahon Clerk to the Committee and Chief Officer – Legal and Procurement Tel: 0141 577 3801 e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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Re: Taxi Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles was 41 - Currently now only 5 1 year ago #2
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MINUTE of LICENSING COMMITTEE
Minute of meeting held at 10.00am in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Giffnock, on 5 December 2023. Present: Councillor Paul Edlin (Chair) Councillor David Macdonald* Provost Mary Montague* Councillor Edlin in the Chair (*) indicates remote attendance Attending: Gerry Mahon, Chief Officer (Legal and Procurement); Brian Kilpatrick, Civic Government Enforcement Officer; Jennifer Graham, Committee Services Officer; and Lesleyann Burns, Assistant Committee Services Officer. Also Attending: Chief Inspector Graeme Gallie and Sergeant Lisa Campbell, Police Scotland. Apology: Councillor Andrew Morrison. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 677. There were no declarations of interest intimated. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE POLICY 678. The committee considered a report by the Chief Officer (Legal and Procurement) seeing approval to commence a consultation with the trade, public and relevant disability rights groups to provide information to inform potential changes to the Council’s current Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy. (Item 3 refers). The report explained that, as a result of the financial impacts of the Covid pandemic upon members of the taxi trade, the Licensing Committee had agreed to changes to the previous Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Policy with effect from April 2021. From that date, only taxi car applications would require to meet the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) criteria. The Chief Officer (Legal & Procurement) advised that only 5 WAVs were currently licensed in East Renfrewshire, a drop from 41 prior to April 2021, and that a review of the policy would be required to review its effectiveness and decide what changes, if any, should be implemented. In response to questions from members, the Chief Officer (Legal & Procurement) confirmed that all of the WAVs currently licenced in the area were able to accommodate a wheelchair within the vehicle; and that the consultation would be advertised widely, in liaison with the Council’s Communications Team, and would include, but not be restricted to, contact with taxi/private hire groups, local and possibly national disability groups, community councils and the general public. The committee agreed to authorise the Clerk to:- (a) commence consultation with relevant stakeholders to ingather information regarding the current availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles to the public and the demand for such vehicles; (b) undertake an Equalities Impact Assessment to inform any future changes to the policy; and (c) bring a further report to committee in early 2024 with proposals as to any recommended changes to the policy. End of Agenda Item 3 |
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Re: Taxi Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles was 41 - Currently now only 5 1 year ago #3
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8/2/2024
Post ERC facebook page www.facebook.com/eastrenfrewshirecouncil/?locale=en_GB East Renfrewshire Council 19 h We're currently reviewing our licensing of taxis and private hire cars policy with reference to accessibility criteria for disabled users. As part of this process, we'd like to hear the views of drivers, booking offices and users of these vehicles, whether disabled or otherwise. We're particularly interested in hearing views about the current availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles, current and potential demand for them and any other information which will help to determine appropriate numbers of accessible vehicles within the licensed fleet. We'll also consider wider disability related issues including the carriage of guide and assistance dogs. Please submit your views by 5pm on Friday 1 March 2024. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or post to, Licensing Enforcement Officer, East Renfrewshire Council, Eastwood Park, Giffnock, G46 6UG. More at: orlo.uk/B4W0T |
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Re: Taxi Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles was 41 - Currently now only 5 9 months, 1 week ago #4
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Agenda Item 3
EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL LICENSING COMMITTEE 14 May 2024 Report by Clerk to the Licensing Committee WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE POLICY PURPOSE OF REPORT 1. To report to committee on the response to the consultation regarding potential changes to the Council’s current wheelchair accessible vehicle policy and to recommend proposed changes to the policy following such responses. RECOMMENDATIONS 2. That the Committee:- (a) notes the proposals to: (i) amend the current policy in respect of wheelchair accessible vehicles to require all new applications for taxi or private hire car licences (and any subsequent substitutions) to relate to vehicles which are wheelchair accessible; (ii) recommend that no fee is charged for new applications for WAVs; (iii) instruct the Chief Officer Legal and Procurement to report Committee’s recommendation regarding proposed fees for WAV applications to Cabinet for final decision; (iv) require all vehicles identified as replacements in a substitution request and which are capable of carrying more than 4 passengers to be wheelchair accessible; (v) approve the definition of wheelchair accessible vehicles as outlined in this report ; (vi) adopt the amended policy for an initial trial period of 18 months and to thereafter review its practical effect at that time. (b) invites representatives of the various stakeholders providing responses to the consultation to attend the Licensing Committee of 11 June 2024, if they so wish, to express their views and answer any questions the Committee may have and adjourns determination of these proposals until said meeting. BACKGROUND 3. In April 2021, as a result of the financial impacts of the Covid pandemic upon members of the taxi trade, East Renfrewshire Council Licensing Committee agreed to relax its previous policy whereby all applications for the grant of new taxi and private hire car licences required to be submitted in respect of vehicles which were wheelchair accessible (WAV’s). From that juncture, only new taxi car applications required to meet this criteria. The Committee at that time also determined to review the position once experience of the new regime had been gained. 4. Following a decision of the Licensing Committee in December 2023 a consultation with relevant stakeholders was undertaken to ingather views regarding the availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles within East Renfrewshire and any suggestions regarding changes to the existing policy. Responses were received in the period January to March and suggested amendments to policy were thereafter formulated based on the views received. REPORT 5. There is no statutory definition of the term “wheelchair accessible vehicle.” At present, East Renfrewshire views the term as describing a vehicle, whether a taxi or private hire vehicle, which is of a size capable of accommodating a wheelchair user (in their wheelchair) and at least one other passenger, provides a safe means of both entry and egress from the vehicle and has an appropriate means of securing the wheelchair whilst in transit. At the time of the decision to relax restrictions in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles operating under East Renfrewshire licences numbered 40. As at today’s date this number has dropped dramatically both as a result of lapsed licences and drivers replacing wheelchair accessible vehicles with vehicles which did not provide that facility at the time of licence renewal. Recent investigation suggests that there are only 4 such vehicles currently licensed, all of which are private hire cars. The total number of vehicles licensed currently stands at 429 (40 taxis and 389 private hire cars). 6. It should be recognised that taxi and private hire drivers are self employed and the Council has no control over their schedules or hours of work. In essence, this means that any imposed criteria regarding wheelchair accessibility will not guarantee that any particular number of such vehicles will be on the road or available to book at any given time. It is however self- evident that the greater the number of such licensed vehicles, the more likely their availability to wheelchair users. 7. Responses to the consultation were received from MyDisability Plus, East Renfrewshire Disability Action (ERDA), Include Me 2, Eastwood Mearns Taxis and the East Ren branch of the Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA). Copies of those responses are attached as Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Despite specific requests to stakeholders for statistical information regarding the volume of calls over the preceding 6 months requesting WAVs only Thornliebank Cars replied to advise that no such requests had been received in that timeframe. In summary, responses from disability rights groups highlighted personal experiences of disabled users and their families indicative of the fact that they often struggled to organise WAVs for scheduled trips, particularly those coinciding with school run times, due to vehicles being utilised to transport pupils. Users also highlighted that they had been deterred from making bookings due to historic difficulties in obtaining appropriate transportation. It was also suggested that drivers of WAVs were reluctant to undertake short journeys due to the disproportionate time required to assist the customer in entering and exiting the vehicle. Some users also noted that vehicles classed as WAVs were in fact unable to accommodate larger motorised wheelchairs. Comments were also received regarding the high costs of using such vehicles. MyDisabilityPlus focussed to a large extent on what they viewed as defects with the last change to policy in 2021. They did however highlight a number of recommendations reflecting a desire for the Council to lobby government to create a national policy in this regard, a requirement for drivers to undergo training in equality/neurodiversity issues and a further survey to determine the market, geographical need and type of vehicle required to accommodate the range of wheelchairs currently available. 8. The taxi and private hire trade generally commented on the economic burden licence applicants would face in obtaining vehicles which met the relevant criteria, noting that the price of new vehicles of this type was in the region of £70,000. They suggested the need to ensure that any changes to policy were both proportionate and reflective of the local demand for such vehicles, which they did not believe to be high. They also noted the potential that any requirement to make all vehicles wheelchair accessible may have unintended consequences for elderly taxi users who may struggle to get into such vehicles given their typical high chassis levels. They further cautioned that a demand for wheelchair accessibility in new applications could have the effect of deterring applications and shrinking the taxi/private hire fleet to a size which did not provide a reasonable service to all East Renfrewshire users. 9. There is no doubt that the disabled community are currently disadvantaged by the reduction in licensed WAVs in East Renfrewshire since 2021. The existing number of 4 vehicles is considered to be insufficient to accommodate the potential demand from within the area, particularly given the variability in driver hours and particular stresses at certain times of the day. Whilst demand appears to have been fairly low it is acknowledged that this may be a result of prior negative experiences in booking WAVs which deterred further attempts5 to do so. On this basis, it is recommended that steps are taken to boost the number of licensed WAVs to enhance their potential availability. 10. The high financial cost of obtaining or converting to an appropriate vehicle is also recognised, as is the difficult financial climate currently facing drivers. On this basis it is recommended that the mechanism to increase the number of such vehicles does not impact on existing licence holders but is rather focussed on new licence applicants in the first instance. As such, it is suggested that all new applications for Taxi and Private Hire Car Licences received after a date of the Committee’s choosing will require to relate to vehicles meeting the definition of a WAV as adopted by the Council. Any substitutions for such vehicles will also require to be WAVs. 11. As highlighted in trade responses to the consultation, there is potential for such a requirement to see a reduction in new applications, effectively shrinking the potential supply of cars generally without creating any additional WAV capacity. In order to mitigate this to some degree it is suggested that as an enticement to encourage applicants, initial applications for WAV licences are processed for no fee. A fee would remain chargeable for any renewals thereafter although Committee may wish to consider whether that renewal fee should also be discounted to some extent. It should be noted that final decisions regarding charging for services are subject to cabinet decision but would follow upon a Committee recommendation. 12. It is further suggested that any application to substitute a vehicle capable of carrying over 4 passengers (plus driver) on to a pre-existing licence to replace a smaller car must be in respect of a WAV. 13. The Council’s current description of a WAV is set out in paragraph 5 of this report. It is suggested that the Committee endorses this definition for the purposes of the revised policy. While consideration has been given to the potential adoption of an approved vehicle list, it is felt that such a level of prescription is unnecessary, financially restrictive to applicants and resource intensive to maintain and update given the frequent entry of new models into the market. Officers will undertake further inquiry to establish relevant dimensions for wheelchair models (including motorised models) and licences will only be granted if vehicles are confirmed as capable of accommodating these sizes at pre-grant inspection. Committee may wish to instruct the Chief Officer Legal and Procurement to revisit this exercise on an annual basis and delegate to him the authority to change any size requirements to take account of changes in technology and/or wheelchair design. 14. At present WAV vehicles are subject to different criteria regarding the maximum age limit at first licensing and the age at which they cease to be suitable as licensed vehicles (7 and 12 years respectively, as opposed to 56 and 10 years for non WAVs). It is considered that this extended lifespan goes some way to offsetting the higher purchase costs of such vehicles. Officers are of the view that such age limits remain appropriate and that no change should be made to these requirements. 15. It is difficult to predict the impact the suggested changes to the policy will have in practice. In this regard, it is considered sensible to set an initial short trial period and to revisit the number of WAVs licensed at the end of that period to assess whether there has been a sufficient increase in their availability. A period of 18 months is considered appropriate in this regard. A further report outlining the results would be brought back to Committee at that time. 16. The consultation responses clearly highlight the strength of feeling relevant stakeholders hold in regard to this matter. It is recommended that Committee takes time to digest the responses, considers the recommendations proposed and invites those providing views to the next scheduled Committee to speak directly to Committee members and answer any questions members may have regarding the issues they have raised. 17. Any policy decision made by the Council which is likely to affect individuals with protected characteristics under the Equalities legislation should be screened and assessed for its impact prior to the policy being determined. An impact assessment has been completed in respect of the recommended policy amendments and is attached as Appendix 6. 18. Members will note that the consultation responses extended beyond the topic of WAVs and also address more general issues relating to the carriage of disabled passengers including driver awareness of neurodiversity, assistance animals, assistance to passengers and general customer service. While these issues are beyond the scope of this report, it is intended to bring a further report to Committee in respect of these matters in the coming months for consideration. The response of MyDisabilityPlus also recommends lobbying of national government to prompt a consistent national policy on WAVs and the potential purchase of an East Renfrewshire WAV. It is suggested that Committee authorises the Chief Officer to refer these matters to the Council’s Strategic Services for consideration. RECOMMENDATIONS 19. That the Committee:- (a) notes the proposals to: (i) amend the current policy in respect of wheelchair accessible vehicles to require all new applications for taxi or private hire car7 licences (and any subsequent substitutions) to relate to vehicles which are wheelchair accessible; (ii) recommend that no fee is charged for new applications for WAVs (iii) instruct the Chief Officer Legal and Procurement to report Committee’s recommendation regarding proposed fees for WAV applications to Cabinet for final decision. (iv) require all vehicles identified as replacements in a substitution request and which are capable of carrying more than 4 passengers to be wheelchair accessible (v) approve the definition of wheelchair accessible vehicles as outlined in this report (vi) adopt the amended policy for an initial trial period of 18 months and to thereafter review its practical effect at that time. (b) invites representatives of the various stakeholders providing responses to the consultation to attend the Licensing Committee of 11 June 2024 , if they so wish, to express their views and answer any questions the Committee may have and adjourns determination of these proposals until said meeting. Report Author: Gerry Mahon Clerk to the Committee and Chief Officer – Legal and Procurement Tel: 0141 577 3801 e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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Re: Taxi Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles was 41 - Currently now only 5 9 months, 1 week ago #5
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There is a submission from Mydisabilityplus.com attached to the above paper -
Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 Appendix 3 - Include me 2 club Appendix 4 - Eastwood Mearns Taxis Appendix 5 - East Ren Scottish Private Hire Association (SPHA) Apologies, It is difficult to reproduce these parts of the report here. You can read the report (Agenda Item 3) from Council webpage here - www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/licensing-committee-140524 This is a link to the report(Sorry if it does not work) - www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/media/10336/....pdf?m=1715342893457 |
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Re: Taxi Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles - in 2021 the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles was 41 - Currently now only 5 5 months, 1 week ago #6
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TAXIS
TO: Councillors P Edlin (Chair); A Convery (Vice Chair); Provost M Montague; Councillors D Macdonald; and A Morrison. SPECIAL LICENSING COMMITTEE A special meeting of the Licensing Committee will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Eastwood Park, Giffnock, on Tuesday 17 September 2024 at 10.00am. Agenda Item 3 3. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLE POLICY. Report by Clerk to the Licensing Committee (copy attached, pages 3 – 52). You can read papers/reports on Council webpage here - www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/licensing-committee-170924 |
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