URL: https://democracy.ribblevalley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1542

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Chief Executive submitted a report informing Committee of the outcome of the consultation on a possible amendment of the current restriction on the number of Hackney Carriages, and asking Committee to determine what, if any, amendments should be made to the Council’s policy for Licensing Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicle (“the Policy”).   Members noted that all 53 Hackney Carriage licences had been issued, with the current fleet including four wheelchair accessible vehicles and eight vehicles fitted with Elap seats. Consultation with licence holders and other relevant parties took place between 3 July and 14 August 2026. Only two responses were received, neither of which raised any substantive comments.   Members were reminded that the consultation had considered replacing the current quantity control system with a quality control approach, whereby any additional Hackney Carriage licences would be issued only to WAVs in order to improve accessibility provision.   Members also considered the potential implications for the existing, predominantly saloon-based fleet. This included whether existing licence holders should continue to be able to replace vehicles with similar models, or whether future replacement vehicles should be required to be wheelchair accessible, and whether further consultation should be undertaken on future accessibility requirements for replacement vehicles.   RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:   1.         Approve amendment of the policy to remove the current limit on numbers by allowing discretion for the Council to issue further Hackney Carriage licences to vehicles which are fully wheelchair accessible.   2.         Authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to consult the trade on whether any replacement vehicles for existing licensed Hackney Carriages vehicles should be required to be fully wheelchair accessible.  

Date of Decision: September 8, 2026