Issue - meetings

Report number CSL131 of the Cabinet Member for Environment.    (Enclosure)

Decision

The Cabinet agrees to implement the provisions of Section 165, 166 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010 and that the draft policy as set out at Appendix E of report number CSL/131 is adopted and included in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

Considerations/Reasons for Decision

1. Report number CSL/131 of the Cabinet Member for Environment
2. Sections 165, 166 and 167, together with other relevant provisions of the Equality Act 2010
3. South Kesteven District Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy
4. The letter of notification to drivers, proprietors and operators
5. The equality analysis attached as Appendix D to report number CSL/131
6. The draft Medical Exemption Policy attached as Appendix E to report number CSL/131
7. Comments made by the Licensing Committee at its meeting on 7 September 2018
8. Comments made by the Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 11 September 2018

Other options considered and assessed

The Council could determine not to implement the provisions of the Act.

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The Cabinet Member for Environment presented report CSL131, advising Members that while the adoption of Sections 165, 166 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010 was at Councils’ discretion the introduction of these Sections of the Act was seen as an opportunity. Their adoption would provide a service to vulnerable members of the community by ensuring that people with disabilities could not be refused access to adapted vehicles, nor could they be charged an inflated rate.

The Cabinet Member for Environment stated that there were currently 6 adapted vehicles in operation within the district. Cabinet Members noted that operators with adapted vehicles would be listed on the Council’s website. Drivers of adapted vehicles did not have the discretion to choose whether they were included on the listings; the only way in which a vehicle could be excluded was by applying for, and being granted, an exemption.

Cabinet Members agreed the recommendations in the report.