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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
Resolved that: The application be granted for CCTV to be installed in a licensed Hackney Carriage Vehicle namely HC568 (WP65 FZZ) and to attach the following additional conditions to the vehicle licence – a) The CCTV system is properly and regularly maintained and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions by a suitably qualified person, approved by the licensing authority. Written records of all maintenance and servicing shall be made and retained by the proprietor for a minimum of 12 months. Such written records shall be made available on demand by an authorised officer of the licensing authority or a Police officer. b) The CCTV system shall comply with the specifications detailed in Annex A of the document titled “Taxi and private hire vehicles: CCTV specifications and conditions” version 22nd March 2021 c) The CCTV system must be fully operational at all times the vehicle is in use for hire or reward. If the system is not operational the vehicle must not be used for hire or reward until it fixed and fully operational in accordance with the licensing authority’s CCTV specification. d) The recording system and memory card (or other image memory recording system) must be securely stored within the vehicle and away from public access. e) That upon entry to the licensed vehicle verbal notice shall be given to all passengers that (1) CCTV will be in operation during the journey and (2) information shall be given to demonstrate to the passengers how voice recording equipment may be activated. f) When downloaded the images contained in the recording device shall only be provided to Authorised Officers of the licensing authority or Police Officers.
Resolved that: Condition 6.4 be amended for the vehicles licensed under the Green Fleet Scheme and state that door stickers provided by the Council must be “affixed to on the rear doors on both sides of the vehicle”.
No apologies for absence were received.
Councillor J Thomas declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Items 3 and 4 as he is a taxi driver and a former proprietor.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: The application be granted for CCTV to be installed in a licensed Hackney Carriage Vehicle namely HC568 (WP65 FZZ) and to attach the following additional conditions to the vehicle licence – a) The CCTV system is properly and regularly maintained and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions by a suitably qualified person, approved by the licensing authority. Written records of all maintenance and servicing shall be made and retained by the proprietor for a minimum of 12 months. Such written records shall be made available on demand by an authorised officer of the licensing authority or a Police officer. b) The CCTV system shall comply with the specifications detailed in Annex A of the document titled “Taxi and private hire vehicles: CCTV specifications and conditions” version 22nd March 2021 c) The CCTV system must be fully operational at all times the vehicle is in use for hire or reward. If the system is not operational the vehicle must not be used for hire or reward until it fixed and fully operational in accordance with the licensing authority’s CCTV specification. d) The recording system and memory card (or other image memory recording system) must be securely stored within the vehicle and away from public access. e) That upon entry to the licensed vehicle verbal notice shall be given to all passengers that (1) CCTV will be in operation during the journey and (2) information shall be given to demonstrate to the passengers how voice recording equipment may be activated. f) When downloaded the images contained in the recording device shall only be provided to Authorised Officers of the licensing authority or Police Officers.
Councillor J Thomas left the meeting as he declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 3 and Item 4. The Licensing Officer led the committee through the report and highlighted the salient points. The following question were raised by the committee and were answered in detail by the officers in attendance. · Is the applicant fully aware of all the conditions that are outlined in the Welsh Government guidance · How many years has the applicant been a licensed taxi driver in Merthyr Tydfil · Clarity was sought in relation to the term CCTV – is the application for dashcams or multiple cameras in the vehicle · Would the CCTV be internal and external · If subsequent applications are received would they all be referred to this committee or can it be dealt with by way of delegated authority · How will we know that what CCTV system is installed will comply with what is outlined in the Welsh Government guidance · Will it become mandatory going forward for all taxis/private hire vehicles to install CCTV or will it be put out for consultation · It has been stated that the applicant is agreeable to all Welsh Government guidance – can you confirm what is the cost of the CCTV system and installation · If introduced, do you feel this will this become a financial burden on individuals / companies · It states in the report that the applicant will delete data recordings on a daily basis, however, the guidance states that you must store 7x 24hr recordings. Was this raised and discussed in the Licensing Sub-Committee · Can you confirm that the recordings will have to be in a format that is suitable for the authority to access when required. · It was noted that the Welsh Government guidance doesn’t require the diver to notify any passengers that they are being recorded. It was felt that signage wouldn’t be enough. · Do we know what manufacturer the applicant will be utilising · Clarity was sought in relation to whether the applicant had been before the Licensing Committee on a previous occasion · Do you feel as an authority we should source an approved fitted as this will ensure all installation are carried out to the same standard · Can you confirm that as the applicant is the first to install a CCTV system spot checks will be carried out to ensure the guidance is being adhered to · Clarity was sought in relation to the authorities enforcement policies and whether the Licensing Department are entitled to check taxis and recordings at anytime · Clarity was sought in relation to the use of the vehicle if the CCTV was unavailable /broken After further discussion, comments and consideration by the committee it was Resolved that: The application be granted for CCTV to be installed in a licensed Hackney Carriage Vehicle namely HC568 (WP65 FZZ) and to attach the following additional conditions to the vehicle licence – a) The CCTV system is properly and regularly maintained and serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions by a suitably qualified person, approved by the licensing authority. Written records of all maintenance and servicing shall be made and retained by the proprietor for a minimum of 12 months. Such written records shall be made available on demand by an authorised officer of the licensing authority or a Police officer. b) The CCTV system shall comply with the specifications detailed in Annex A of the document titled “Taxi and private hire vehicles: CCTV specifications and conditions” version 22nd March 2021 c) The CCTV system must be fully operational at all times the vehicle is in use for hire or reward. If the system is not operational the vehicle must not be used for hire or reward until it fixed and fully operational in accordance with the licensing authority’s CCTV specification. d) The recording system and memory card (or other image memory recording system) must be securely stored within the vehicle and away from public access. e) That upon entry to the licensed vehicle verbal notice shall be given to all passengers that (1) CCTV will be in operation during the journey and (2) information shall be given to demonstrate to the passengers how voice recording equipment may be activated. f) When downloaded the images contained in the recording device shall only be provided to Authorised Officers of the licensing authority or Police Officers.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: Condition 6.4 be amended for the vehicles licensed under the Green Fleet Scheme and state that door stickers provided by the Council must be “affixed to on the rear doors on both sides of the vehicle”.
Jo Baber led the committee through the report and highlighted the salient points. The following questions were raised by the committee and responded to in detail by the officers in attendance. · How many vehicles are included in the Green Fleet · How long will the Green Fleet vehicles be with us · Will every taxi driver licenced with us have the ability to access these vehicles · Due to the number of taxi drivers and that we only have two vehicles how long do you envisage the vehicles being with us · How many electric charging points are currently available in Merthyr Tydfil · Is the bus station open 24hrs a day to allow access to the electric charging points · Can all charging points be identified and shared with the trade to ensure they know exactly where the vehicles can be charged · Can you confirm when the scheme is going live as the vehicles seem to have been with us for a number of months · If this recommendation is approved do you think there will be any issues as the vehicles will look different to the rest of the fleet in Merthyr Tydfil · Do you think we should notify the trade that this is a Welsh Government Scheme · What make and model are the Green Fleet vehicles After comments and consideration by the Committee, it was Resolved that: Condition 6.4 be amended for the vehicles licensed under the Green Fleet Scheme and state that door stickers provided by the Council must be “affixed to on the rear doors on both sides of the vehicle”.
The Chair wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and closed the meeting.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
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