Taxi Provision in the City

REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE

MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL 9TH JANUARY, 2008

 

 

            At its meeting on 12th December, 2007, the Cabinet received a report of the Chief Executive, setting out and commenting upon the key conclusions and recommendations from the recently completed study by transport consultants Halcrow Limited into taxi provision in Sheffield.

            In accordance with the arrangements approved by the Council at its meeting on 5th April, 2000, the report, together with a recommendation of the Cabinet thereon, as set out below, is referred to the City Council for consideration:-

 

TAXI PROVISION IN THE CITY

            The Chief Executive referred to the decision of the City Council of 7th February, 2007, to commission an independent survey on taxi provision in Sheffield and he submitted a report setting out and commenting upon the key conclusions and recommendations from the recently completed study by transport consultants Halcrow Limited into taxi provision in Sheffield.  He stated that the objective of the study had been to undertake a broad assessment of the taxi market in the City as a whole, covering both Hackney carriages and private hire vehicles and had involved 400 hours of rank observations at various times throughout the day and night, both on weekdays and at weekends, to enable an assessment of any unmet demand for taxi services to be made.

            The findings of the Consultants’ report had indicated that demand for taxis had increased dramatically in the last 5 years in line with the improving City centre economy, with demand peaking on Friday and Saturday nights and that Sheffield had the lowest per capita provision of taxis of any of the core cities.  It was considered however that the taxi market in Sheffield was currently functioning well and was in balance, with no unmet demand at most times of the week other than at peak times and with no overall significant unmet demand for taxi services in the City.

            The report had concluded that there was some evidence of over-supply of taxis during typical daytime periods. The report had also concluded however that future increases in demand were likely to be in line with the ongoing regeneration work in the City centre and that a reintroduction of the limit would not be advisable at this time.

            The report had also highlighted the dissatisfaction expressed by disabled people with taxi provision in the City, who were unable to access the same level of service as non-disabled users and it was suggested that driver training in equalities issues was not currently comprehensive enough to ensure that disabled people and other equality groups received a good level of service.

            The Chief Executive pointed out that following changes introduced in the Transport Act 1985, a Licensing Authority could continue to limit taxi numbers if, and only if, it was satisfied that there was no significant unmet demand for taxi services in that area.  There was no indication in the legislation as to what would constitute ‘significant unmet demand’.

            The Chief Executive concluded by stating that, in line with the recommendations contained in the Consultants’ report it was the officers’ view that a reintroduction of the limit on Hackney carriage numbers would not be advisable at this time. He stated that if Members were minded to consider a limit, then they should consider a limit in the growth of numbers.

 

            In addition to the issue of limitation, there were a number of other recommendations for improvements and it was proposed that these should be referred to the Licensing Board for consideration.

RESOLVED: That  (a) the following recommendations be referred to Council:-

 

That:-

 

(i)         for the purpose of consideration of the report now circulated on the Provision of Taxi Services in Sheffield, the powers previously delegated by the Council to the Licensing Board be assumed by the Council in respect of any decision regarding the limitation of numbers of hackney carriages and for this item only;

 

(ii)        this Council:

 

(A)              having given consideration to the content and advice contained in the report of the Chief Executive on the provision of taxi services in Sheffield;

 

(B)       having given consideration to the content and advice in the independent expert report from Halcrow Ltd.;

 

(C)       being aware that this is a very finely balanced issue;

 

(D)       being aware that the Council can only lawfully limit the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences if, but only if, it is satisfied that there is no significant unmet demand for hackney carriage services in accordance with Section 16 of the Transport Act 1985;

 

(E)       and having given particular consideration to the following:-

 

a.         the fact that Sheffield is a changing City with significant new residential development in the City Centre particularly for young people and students;

 

b.         the fact that taxis, both hackney carriages and private hire, are a critical part of Sheffield’s transport infrastructure and have a vital role in ensuring that residents and visitors are able to move quickly and safely around the City, particularly when other forms of public transport are not available;

 

c.         the finding from the independent consultants’ report that, at this point in time, there is an oversupply of hackney carriages in the daytime and an under supply during peak weekend evening periods; and

 

d.         the comments in the independent consultants’ report about significant unmet demand;

 

(iii) this Council:-

 

therefore believes that at this point in time it is able to consider limitation of  hackney carriage numbers as it is satisfied there is no significant unmet demand, and resolves that:

 

(A)       based on all the evidence available to the Council, in particular the expert report, the Chief Executive’s report, its knowledge and experience of the growth, development and changing balance of residential and business development which is particularly obvious in the city centre and that there are currently 818 hackney carriage vehicles licensed, limitation on the number of hackney carriages be re-introduced;

 

(B)       based on this information, the number of hackney carriage vehicle licenses be determined at 830;

 

(C)       in future each application for a hackney carriage license be considered by the Licensing Board on its merits taking account of the policy determined by Council on limitation; and

 

(D)       a further demand study be conducted in February 2009.

 

(NOTE:  1.  Part (a) of this item is referred for consideration by the City Council and part (b) is referred for consideration by the Licensing Board, and cannot, therefore, be called in for scrutiny.

            2.  The report is circulated to all Council Members with the Council Summons).