Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services.

(Report circulated)

In support of the Head of Environmental Health Services’ report setting out the outcome of the top-up survey into unmet demand carried out by Mouchel Ltd., the Chair welcomed Mr Ian Millership, Study Manager of Mouchel. MrMillership reported that a top-up survey had been undertaken on 12 and 13 March 2011 at the taxi ranks at Sidwell Street, Fore Street and Bailey Street and at locations near Rococo and Arena nightclubs between 2300 hours and 0500 hours late Saturday/early Sunday. Overall demand had been 40% of that in May 2010 and passenger queues had been less than when the full survey had been undertaken. Therefore the cessation of the agreement between certain nightclubs and a private hire company to collect club goers had not impacted significantly on demand. He further reported on the pattern of usage observed during the survey period. He responded to Members’ queries. The Principal Licensing Officer also responded to Members’ queries advising that full consultation with interested parties had been undertaken as part of the May 2010 survey. Mr Millership also advised that the Sidwell Street rank should be improved as part of the upgrading to the pavement area outside the new John Lewis store.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)       the top-up survey be received and the results showing that it remained the case that there was no significant unmet demand in relation to Hackney Carriages in Exeter be noted;

(2)       in light of (1) above, this Committee was not required to exercise its obligation to grant additional hackney carriage licences and does not wish to review its policy of not exercising its discretion to grant hackney carriage licences above the level of significant unmet demand; and

(3)       a Special Meeting of this Committee be held as soon as possible to consider the 11 outstanding applications for hackney carriage licenses.

 (Report circulated)