Time to have your say on Fenland's taxi policies

A six-week consultation has launched about Hackney carriages, private hire and licensed drivers

Author: Charlotte FisherPublished 15th Dec 2020

It's time to have your say on the taxi policies in Fenland as a consultation starts.

Fenland District Council is seeking the public's views on the licensing of Hackney carriages, private hire operators and licensed drivers in the district.

Last week the Council's Licensing Committee approved the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, 2021-2026, for consultation. Now a six-week consultation has been launched, and residents are being invited to have their say.

The Department of Transport recently introduced statutory guidance in relation to this type of licensing in a drive to standardise the taxi and private hire regime nationally - prompting the Council, as local licensing authority, to review its policy.

Anyone can comment on the amended policy here.

Comments can be submitted to the Council's Licensing team via email or letter before the consultation deadline on 17 January 2021.

The policy details the guidelines the Council will follow when issuing licences to Hackney carriage taxis, which can be hailed in the street, and private hire vehicles, which must be pre-booked, and private hire operators and drivers.

It also covers vehicle specifications, a drivers' code of conduct, and enforcement measures - including penalty points.

Revisions include amendments to vehicle policies to help lower emissions, such as a new maximum age limit on vehicles and future incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles, and a more clearly defined wheelchair accessible vehicle policy.

Cllr Sam Clark, the Council's Portfolio Holder responsible for licensing, said:

"Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles play a vital and integral part of our integrated transport system and provide a service where other transport is not available, such as in rural areas and late evenings, or for those with mobility difficulties.

"The principal purpose of licensing these vehicles is to protect the public. The safety of the public and the safeguarding of children and the vulnerable is of the utmost importance when determining policy, setting standards and deciding how they will be enforced.

"Publishing our draft policy gives everyone the chance to comment if they wish, and I would urge as many people as possible to do so to ensure it is suitable for both licensed drivers and the public's requirements."

Will your opinion be listened to?

All comments received will be considered when renewing the policy.

Once any amendments have been made, the policy will be approved by the Licensing Committee before being recommended to full Council in February 2021.

You can send comments to the Council's Licensing team via email at: licensing@fenland.gov.uk or write to: Licensing, Fenland District Council, The Base, Melbourne Avenue, March, PE15 0EN.