Meeting concerning Limit on number of cabs

Aftab wrote:The Labour cabinet has recommended that a limit be put on at 830. The recommendation is just that, "a recommendation" and not a final decision. The final decision will be made at the full council meeting on the 9th of January.
The difficulty with this situation is that SCC Licensing Section already have applications that will bring the number to 840 And they can't refuse to accept applications till the final decision is made, putting unwarranted pressure on the licensing section staff.

4.11 The consultants’ report makes clear that a reintroduction of the limit would not be advisable at this time for a number of reasons:

• There is no overwhelming evidence in the report that supply and demand for taxi services in Sheffield is unbalanced. Therefore the market is functioning well, indicating that there is no need to impose a limit on taxi numbers
• Demand has risen steadily in Sheffield over the past ten years, with a sharp rise since 2003, linked to the growing economy. There is no evidence that this increase in demand will halt in the near future, and therefore introducing a limit might restrict the ability of the taxi market to respond to this demand.
• Although there is no significant unmet demand at most times of the day, there is pressure on taxi supply at certain critical points, particularly at weekend night times.
• Hackney carriages are the only taxis that are accessible for disabled people. Restricting provision of these vehicles may lead to negative impacts on this group of users.

In addition it is clear that:

• There are no positive benefits for the taxi user of introducing a limit on taxi numbers. The market would be less able to respond to rising demand, and there is no evidence to suggest that the quality of service offered would improve.
• There is a significant risk of legal challenge if the Council reintroduced limitation from people who wanted to enter the market but were prevented from doing so because of the limit (see Section 7).

----- Original Message -----
From: AFTAB HANIF
To: IAN BARLEY
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2005 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: Taxis


discussions have commenced with a potential training provider?
ask Paul if he knows anything about this lol. It will be a knowledge enhancing excercise if only to find out what they require a potential trainer to teach and to what standard. If it is similar to the Citizenship sort of cr*p then my mother can teach them that.
----- Original Message -----
From: IAN BARLEY
To: AFTAB HANIF
Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2005 2:43 PM
Subject: Taxis


how sad am I? just reading up on some council CR*P and come across this...

16.0 KNOWLEDGE TEST

16.1 Strategic Resources and Performance Scrutiny and Policy
Development Board “ensure that the knowledge test takes account of new developments in the city;”

16.2 Management response to Cabinet –

“The test for potential drivers is currently under review. A report dealing with aspects of communication skills and numeracy is to be considered by the Licensing Board.”

16.3 Following the Licensing Board meeting on 20 September 2005 that gave support to the introduction of a basic skills assessment for potential drivers discussions have commenced with a potential training provider.

4.11 The consultants’ report makes clear that a reintroduction of the limit would not be advisable at this time for a number of reasons:

• There is no overwhelming evidence in the report that supply and demand for taxi services in Sheffield is unbalanced. Therefore the market is functioning well, indicating that there is no need to impose a limit on taxi numbers
• Demand has risen steadily in Sheffield over the past ten years, with a sharp rise since 2003, linked to the growing economy. There is no evidence that this increase in demand will halt in the near future, and therefore introducing a limit might restrict the ability of the taxi market to respond to this demand.
• Although there is no significant unmet demand at most times of the day, there is pressure on taxi supply at certain critical points, particularly at weekend night times.
• Hackney carriages are the only taxis that are accessible for disabled people. Restricting provision of these vehicles may lead to negative impacts on this group of users.

In addition it is clear that:

• There are no positive benefits for the taxi user of introducing a limit on taxi numbers. The market would be less able to respond to rising demand, and there is no evidence to suggest that the quality of service offered would improve.
• There is a significant risk of legal challenge if the Council reintroduced limitation from people who wanted to enter the market but were prevented from doing so because of the limit (see Section 7).

waheed wrote:I do not know why our brothers are so excited about limit when it is not implace actually

[QUOTE=redrobbo;2935310] Officer recommendations are only recommendations. It is up to councillors to determine the matter.

Aftab wrote:
Other points such as driver training proposals and everybody required to have a radio were left for later till the Licensing officials can be presaent to explain the proposals further.

AHMED wrote:Most of our friends can do with being sent back to School IMO.