Agenda Item No. 4

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Public Protection Licensing Committee: 9 January 2018

Report of the Director of Environment and Housing

Equality Act 2010

Purpose of the Report

1. To provide information to Members in relation to Section 165 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010.
2. To determine whether to maintain a list of designated vehicles in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Recommendations

1. That the Committee approves the proposal to publish and maintain a list of designated vehicles in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
2. That, if the recommendation is accepted, Committee approve that the power to exercise the function of maintaining and publishing the list, and the issue of exemption certificates is delegated to the Head of Shared Regulatory Services.

Reasons for the Recommendations

1. Although it is not compulsory for licensing authorities to maintain a list in accordance with section 167, the Secretary of State's "Access for wheelchair users to Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles" Statutory Guidance strongly recommends that they do so, as without a maintained list, the relevant equality duties for drivers do not apply.

Background

3. This report is to provide information to Members in respect of Sections 165 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010 which were recently commenced.
4. Section 165 of the Act places a legal requirement on drivers of all licensed hackney carriage and private vehicles, which are wheelchair accessible, to carry passengers in wheelchairs, provide assistance to those passengers, and prohibits them from charging extra for the fare.
5. Section 167 of the Act provides Local Authorities with powers to publish a list of "designated vehicles" i.e. hackney carriage and private hire vehicles that are wheelchair accessible.

Relevant Issues and Options

6. On the 6th April 2017, Section 165 and 167 of the Equality Act 2010 were commenced.
7. Section 165 of the Equality Act 2010 places specific 'duties' on the driver of a "designated vehicle" i.e. hackney carriage and private hire vehicles that are wheelchair accessible. These duties are:

• To carry the passenger while in the wheelchair;
• Not to make any additional charge for doing so;
• If the passenger chooses to sit in a passenger seat, to carry the wheelchair;
• To take such steps as are necessary to ensure that the passenger is carried in safety and reasonable comfort;
• To give the passenger such mobility assistance as is reasonably required: to enable the passenger to get into or out of the vehicle; if the passenger wishes to remain in the wheelchair, to enable the passenger to get into and out of the vehicle while in the wheelchair; to load the passenger's luggage into or out of the vehicle; if the passenger does not wish to remain in the wheelchair, to load the wheelchair into or out of the vehicle.

8. Section 167 of the Act provides the Council with the powers to make lists of wheelchair accessible vehicles (i.e. "designated vehicles"). Whilst Local Authorities are under no specific legal obligation to maintain a list under the Act, the Government recommends strongly that they do so. Without such a list, the requirements of Section 165 of the Act would not apply. The Council currently has in place conditions and byelaws which require drivers to assist passengers with reasonable amounts of luggage, to give reasonable assistance and to take a disabled person with a guide, hearing or other assistance dog unless they have a medical exemption.
9. Some drivers may have a medical condition or a disability or physical condition which makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for them to provide the sort of physical assistance which these duties require. That is why the Act allows the Council to grant exemptions from the duties to individual drivers.
10. Drivers who have been granted an exemption will be issued with a notice, which must be displayed in the vehicle.
11. A draft list of "designated vehicles" has been produced and it is proposed that any hackney carriage or private hire vehicle that is capable of carrying a wheelchair (with the user in situ), be included on the list. There are currently 3 hackney carriages and 12 private hire vehicles that have this ability (numbers correct at time of writing report).
12. The designated vehicles list will need to be maintained and it is proposed that an updated list be published on the Council's website on a monthly basis. Committee is requested to delegate the function to notify vehicle owners and maintain and publish the list to the Head of Shared Regulatory Services. There is a right of appeal to the Magistrates' Court to include a vehicle on the designated list.
13. Should Members agree that the Council publish and maintain a list of designated vehicles, then information in respect of the driver responsibilities, medical exemptions and appeals will be circulated to all licensed drivers and where appropriate drivers can then apply for an exemption.
14. It is proposed that the first list of designated vehicles be published on the 1st March 2018. This will allow sufficient time for drivers who need to apply for an exemption to arrange for a medical assessment to be undertaken with their own G.P. Committee is requested to approve that the power to determine applications is delegated to the Head of Shared Regulatory Services. There is provision within the legislation for a right of appeal to the Magistrates' Court where the Authority refuses to grant an exemption certificate.
15. The published list will detail the vehicle licence number, registration, make and model, and whether the vehicle is a hackney carriage or for private hire use only.
16. Once the list is published, it will be an offence for the driver (unless exempt) of a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle which is on the designated list to fail to comply with the duties listed above.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

17. None. The administration and enforcement of these provisions will be met within existing budgets.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

18. None.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

19. There is a right of appeal against a decision to include a vehicle on the designated list to the Magistrates' Court.
20. There is a right of appeal against a decision to refuse to grant an exemption certificate to the Magistrates' Court.

Crime and Disorder Implications

21. None.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

22. The proposals will ensure that drivers and the public are aware of the equality duties and responsibilities of drivers of vehicles on the designated list.

Corporate/Service Objectives

23. The proposal contributes to Outcome 1: "An Inclusive and Safer Vale."

Policy Framework and Budget

24. This is a matter for decision by the Public Protection Licensing Committee.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

25. Individual drivers will have the opportunity to apply for medical exemptions.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

26. Homes and Safe Communities

Background Papers

Department for Transport - Access for wheelchair users to Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles Statutory Guidance

Contact Officer

Daniel Cook, Licensing Policy Officer 029 2087 2011

Officers Consulted

Richard Price, Lawyer Legal Services 01446 709409

Responsible Officer:

Miles Punter, Director of Environment and Housing