The Licensing Committee of Ribble Valley Council met on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, to discuss various issues, including the revision of Hackney Carriage fares, the establishment of an annual meeting for premises licence holders, and policies regarding wheelchair-accessible vehicles and disability awareness training for drivers.

Hackney Fares

The committee reviewed a report from the Chief Executive on whether Hackney Carriage fares should be varied from the level recommended on 30 January 2024. The proposed night-time fare rates had been advertised in the local press and circulated to the local taxi trade. Two representations were received from Hackney Carriage drivers, suggesting a rate of £0.90 for each subsequent 1/5 of a mile or part thereof between 12 midnight and 6am, and between 7pm and midnight on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Annual Meeting for Premises Licence Holders

The committee discussed a proposal from the Chief Executive to arrange an annual meeting for the committee to meet premises licence holders, following a request from Clitheroe Pub Watch. The meeting would serve as a forum for addressing concerns raised by the licensed trade, excluding premises-specific matters. The committee resolved to hold the annual meeting and extend invitations to members of the Pub Watch schemes in Clitheroe, Longridge, and Whalley, the police, the Council’s Environmental Health department, and the Council’s Licensing Enforcement staff.

ELAP Seats and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

The committee reviewed the outcome of a consultation on the provision of wheelchair-accessible Hackney Carriages and the retention of ELAP seats. The consultation received responses from eight Hackney Carriage drivers and two Private Hire drivers, but none from user groups. The consensus was that ELAP seats were barely used and should not be required, and there was no desire to expand the side-entry wheelchair-accessible Hackney fleet. However, the committee strongly supported the introduction of disability awareness training for drivers. They resolved to amend the policy to require drivers to undergo disability awareness training provided by the Blue Lamp Trust on application for a new licence or on the next renewal after 1 April 2024, with refresher training at five-year intervals.

Hackney Carriage Stands

The committee noted an information report from the Chief Executive on the progress of enquiries regarding the establishment of additional Hackney Carriage stands in the borough.

For further details, you can refer to the Minutes of Previous Meeting and the Public reports pack 11th-Jun-2024 18.30 Licensing.