To consider a report that reviews the need and work done to increase the percentage of wheelchair accessible vehicles within the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Fleets.

Members considered a report that set out work undertaken with regard to achieving an aspirational target of 20% of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire fleet being wheelchair accessible vehicles.  Members were advised that over the last four years officers had been looking at ways to increase the percentage of wheelchair accessible vehicles licensed in Torbay.  This has led to a doubling of the percentage of accessible vehicles but has since remained stubbornly at this level for several years.

The Environmental Health Manager (Commercial) informed Members that a number of options had been considered and consultation had taken place.  However the consultation response was low with none of the options being universally received.  Subsequently a review of the perceived lack of wheelchair accessible vehicles was undertaken, the findings had not been able to evidence a problem.  There have been no recent Council complaints and no disability user group has engaged during the two consultation exercises suggesting there is no significant problem.  Significantly, there is a new Private Hire company who is dedicated to providing wheelchair accessible vehicles, which is advertised on the Council website along with other providers.

Resolved:

That no additional work be undertaken to increase the percentage of wheelchair accessible vehicles in either the Hackney Carriage and the Private Hire fleets at this time.