Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum Minutes - 17/06/2011

Minutes of Brighton & Hove Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Consultation Forum Held on 14 July 2011

Present;

Lee Essex Sussex Police Sgt Castleton Sussex Police Nabil Morgos B.S.T.F Eslam Miah UTDA Tim Nichols Brighton & Hove City Council Jean Cranford Brighton & Hove City Council Juliet Evans Brighton & Hove City Council Mike Kennedy Brighton & Hove City Council Ross Findlay Brighton & Hove City Council Mark Durell B&HPHA Jeff Defalco B&HPHA Jon Smith GMB Andy Cheeseman City Cabs Tony Breslin Radio Cabs Tony Turner Radio Cabs Jeff Elliot Brighton & Hove City Council Geraldine Des Moulins Federation of Disabled people George Hakim BSTF Shlihebur Rahman U.T.D ASS Jim Ferguson NPTTU Jeff Howell Brighton & Hove Streamline John Streeter Brighton & Hove Streamline John Oram Unite

Apologies Martin Seymour, Lizzie Deane

Item Minute Action

Introductions were made

1 Minutes from last meeting

JS – Wanted to make clear his comments from the previous minutes. He would like the council to be more receptive under data protection at providing information when it asked for. This was in reference to MS his request for a list of Brighton & Hove operators.

GDM – Would like to correct previous minutes, GDM was not disagreeing, she just had questions on the process and wanted clarification on where the terms of reference are going.

Matters Arising GDM – Have there been any decisions on where minutes go, would like to point everyone to the same place i.e. website

The minutes are currently emailed around. TN – advised this is not a public meeting however he doesn’t mind where we put minutes, it is up to the forum. TT – doesn’t think it should be public. TN – will re- raise this next forum.

2 Sussex Police -

Sgt Peter Castleton and Inspector Lee Essex, Police officers attended the forum.

Inspector Essex began with an apology on the service recently provided when drivers have been reporting unpaid fares. He confirmed the police civilian call handling staff were unaware that ‘Bilking’ is a criminal offence and so incorrect advice had been given. However training in this has now been arranged with the call operators and there should no longer be any incorrect advice.

JS – Questioned whether drivers could have a sign similar to something Liverpool have which informs the customers of the law. Sgt Castleton has previously mentioned that a sticker may be possible, he will put something together for the next forum. This may include Sussex Police and Brighton & Hove City Council Logos. PC

Insp Essex then moved onto describing something else which may help resolve bilking, a new scheme called ‘Community Resolution’, which has been shown to be effective in 95% of minor cases in New Zealand. This involves giving the offender a warning and a chance to decide to pay and offer an apology instead of receiving a conviction. Several positives were described for this new scheme, including quicker resolution, increased satisfaction by getting payment and providing a second chance to somebody who may not usually offend. Insp Essex advised a leaflet with more information is available on the police website.

http://www.sussex.police.uk/media/199034/commres_leaflet.pdf

Conversation moved towards drivers being unhappy with the length of time it can take for a police response. Insp Essex clarified that formal complaints can be made to the police, and if still not satisfied himself or Sgt Castleton can investigate.

MD – Questioned tickets on Sydney street and whether warnings could be given by the police on when they will be enforcing the streets restrictions. Insp Essex agreed this is something they can do. JE – Advised anybody can lobby against the road safety restrictions, however there is a low chance of success. Any requests can be sent to JE. Sgt PC - it was confirmed the taxi marshalls are returning the coming weekend but a long term solution is still being sought. Traffic Management – Jeff Elliot 3 JE – The front and back of the station will be closed over Pride weekend.

GDM raised questions on whether any reasonable adjustments for disabled passengers are planned around the closure. JE – Advised Martin McGowan has planned the closure from a safety point of view and so has not made reasonable adjustments for disabled passengers. No drop off point is planned, in the past drivers have dropped off wherever they can.

JE – London Road is to also be closed during Pride, which means the St Peters Rank will also be closed. There will be a temporary taxi rank at New England House and also JE will be working throughout Pride to make any adjustments that are necessary.

Also advised that Surrey Street Road works are due and diversions will be in place. JO – Queried Cromwell Road traffic lights and why there is always queues, JE will look into this. Also there is currently a dispute with Southern Water on the road surface on North street.

There were issues raised about Private Hire vehicles illegally picking up at the Concorde 2, MK asked if we could have a rank, JE advised to put in an application if this is wanted.

4 Taxi Forum Terms of reference

Since the last forum there was as an attempted meeting to move this forward but there were issues with attendance. Agreed to have one more meeting before the next forum to try and resolve this. JS would also like to invite Judy as she has been very instrumental.

5 Equalities Act –

TN – confirmed that GDM, Judy, MS and JS met recently to work out where to go with the Blue Book and are now engaged in getting these points met by the November committee meeting.

1. Blue book to include DfT advice on EA2010 2. Blue book to include the list of designated vehicles resolution 3. TfL WAV definition to be used as basis for consultation on definition of accessible vehicle specification locally 4. Certificate of competence to be recorded on driver records once framework and provision agreed 5. Funding for training to be sought (Donna Edmead) 6. York CC training scheme details to be sought 7. Bracknell and Streamlines advice on assisting disabled passengers to be circulated and considered by Fed and Forum for inclusion in blue book

JC has added this to the equality plan and will circulate. JC

GDM – Advised Federation would like to see passengers transported safely. The definition of WAV should be so that different vehicles can be used, to cover all people of different shapes and sizes.

Concerns were also raised that a lot of recent WAVs may be the smaller Berlingo, Diablo and Peugeot, which may not be suitable for a growing population. However concerns were raised that some owners could not afford to pay up to 41k for a bigger vehicle. AC – thinks that soon drivers will not legally be able to lift heavy chairs anyway.

JS – Advises that Halcro have confirmed there is no unmet demand on the ranks, it is pre-booked that has the delays so the problem will continue.

6. Vehicle Age Limits -

JS - Support wanted from the forum for the age of saloons to be raised to 10 years

Discussion amongst forum members then continued from this including supportive comments such as it would make it cheaper for people and modern cars do not rust as much. The opposing argument included standards may drop and JEv pointed out that London has recently reduced their age limits and is focusing on emissions tests.

Agreed to try and finish this by November.

7. Knowledge tests –

This was deferred until the next forum.

8. Compulsory CCTV

Ins LE - gave examples of where CCTV has helped and was almost sufficient on it’s own in some cases to convict. CCTV originally to protect drivers and now can now be used to convict offenders. AC - advised that city cabs can purchase a CCTV system that meets the council’s criteria for £250 plus vat. This would be about a pound a day from now to April 2012, and no further payments would be needed in the future.

Concerns were raised about the current case in Southampton in which CCTV being compulsory is being appealed. Fears are that vehcile owners may purchase CCTV for it to then not be compulsory. However it was pointed out that even dummy cameras have helped in the past. Generally a positive opinion on CCTV, other positives were also pointed out such as CCTV reducing insurance, the GMB agreed that CCTV is a positive but they have voted and argue for it not to be compulsory.

TN – confirmed that it can be lobbied against it but it is currently policy.

9. AMEX Stadium -

The HCO have sent a letter to explain the official arrangements for taxis and private hire vehicles at the new Brighton and Hove Albion – Amex Stadium

10. Enforcement –

MK – advised –There is a new enforcement officer starting on 18 August, his name is Simon Quinn an ex police officer. He will be covering Becca’s maternity leave but since it has taken a while to recruit to this post, he will be with us for a year starting 18 August.

MK – Confirmed that 125 vehicles have been stopped recently, 3 were suspended for various reasons including faulty headlights, expired fire extinguishers, meter settings and tyres. There is also a court case currently appealing against a licence refusal.

Also had a enforcement session which included Teresa (Adur/Worthing), Robbie Clarke(Lewes), Tony Armstrong(Adur/Worthing). This was successful until a mobile phone message was sent around warning other drivers the enforcement officers were out.

TT – has asked HCO office to look into touting – In particular the Marina, the Palace Pier and East Street. Insp LE – suggested reporting this to Operation Crackdown as touting is a criminal offence.

AC – commented that the HCO enforcement team have been fantastic and others agreed.

Any Other Business

There was an error in the Argus advert stating fouling charge was 50p rather than £50. A further advert will be put out and if there are MS no objections fare change should be mid Aug/Sep. TN – apologised as our mistake and will pay extra if need be to get advert out quickest way.

There was also a query raised on the HCO and rumours of a scrutiny investigation. TN – Confirmed a meeting with scrutiny next week.

Several members of the forum offered their support to the HCO, including MD, and JS on behalf of the GMB who would rather work with the HCO when mistakes happen.

11. Items for next meeting – 2- 4pm, 18 August 2011 - Cttee Rm 3, HTH

Jean will be Chairing

As today’s agenda plus

1) Scrutiny

12. Dates of next Meetings

18 August 2011 26 October 2011 14 December 2011 15 February 2012