Taxi drivers have your say

I know how important it is for people to have their say on policies which will affect their trade. That’s why I wanted to share with those in the sector that Broadland District Council are reviewing their hackney carriage and private hire vehicle policies and conditions. The aim of this review is to bring the policies and conditions up to date to include existing and new legislation and guidance, and to take into account current ways of working.  

The Policy and Conditions were last reviewed by the local authority in 2018. There have been many changes to national guidance and legislation since this date, so they feel it is necessary to review the documents now to ensure that they are as up to date as possible. 

Alongside this, the Department for Transport has produced a new document, “Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards”. All licensing authorities are required to consider this document and incorporate and proposed changes to their policy and conditions by the end of 2021. This document can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/928583/statutory-taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-standards-english.pdf

The proposed changes set out by Broadland District Council can be found online here: https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/taxipolicyreviewbdc . On this same link, you will find where you can leave your feedback on these proposed changes.

Responses are particularly welcomed in respect of the following areas:

1. Views on the current needs of the hackney carriage and private hire trade and their customers.
2. Views on the proposed changes document.
3. Any other comments you may wish to make.

All responses must be made in writing to enable them to be fully considered as part of the consultation process. This process ends on 1st November 2021.

It is anticipated that the revised policy and conditions will take effect from 1st April 2022.

I hope you find this information helpful, and if I can help constituents with any matter, please do email me on chloe@chloesmith.org.uk or ring my constituency office on 01603 414756.