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The Committee received and considered the report, presented by the Licensing and Elections Manager, regarding the proposed changers to two existing first class hackney carriage stands and the addition of two new first class hackney carriage stands. It was reported that the Committee previously agreed to proceed with the formal notice process as required by legislation and that the required notices for these proposed changes were given on 20th September 2024, allowing the public 28 days to make representations. During this consultation period several comments were received as outlined on page 68 of the agenda. It was added that an MP Enquiry had been received regarding the changes along with a request for a meeting between the Local Authority, the General Manager of the Troll Cart and the taxi trade. It was noted that the Licensing Officers had made several attempts to contact the General Manager of the Troll Cart, including requesting contact details from the MP, however contact could not be made and therefore this meeting did not occur.
The Licensing and Elections Manager explained that Ms S Brown was in attendance as a representative for Norfolk County Council (Norfolk County Council) in order to answer any questions that the Members may have had regarding the proposed changes.
Councillor Jeal asked for an explanation of the reasoning behind the bus improvement plan. Ms S Brown explained that the funding for the plans comes from the National Bus Improvement Fund and that it was decided by NCC that these improvements were needed due to changes in the distribution of traffic around Great Yarmouth caused by the opening of the Herring Bridge. It was added that these plans will provided additional options for routes as well as improving timings and bus provisions.
Councillor G Carpenter asked how many ranks would be gained or lost due to these works, should they be approved. The Licensing and Elections Manager explained that there will be two additional ranks on Market Gates and that the rank on Theatre Plain would be expanded to accommodate more vehicles. It was added that the taxi rank on Temple Road would only be available between the hours of 11pm and 5am rather than 24 hours a day. Councillor G Carpenter stated that there is already a taxi rank on Market Gates and asked where the new taxi ranks would be located. The Licensing and Elections Manager explained that the existing taxi rank and loading bays would remain in place and two additional taxi ranks would be added, one on each side of the road.
Councillor Annison requested clarification on which taxi rank is currently the busiest for the taxi trade. The Licensing and Elections Manager clarified that the taxi rank on Temple Road is reportedly the busiest.
Councillor Bird raised concerns as the existing taxi rank on Market Gates is often not used by the majority of the taxi trade as most drivers would choose to utilise the rank on Temple Road, therefore it could be a waste to add additional taxi ranks to an area that is already not used to its maximum capacity. Councillor Bird highlighted that many members of the public with blue badges for disability use Market Gates as parking in order to access the pharmacy in Boots, however this will no longer be an option for them if the two additional taxi ranks are introduced. Ms S Brown stated that the loading bays need to be maintained for deliveries to the businesses in the area, however members of the public with blue badges for disability could use these areas for short term parking, such as picking up a prescription. The Head of Environment and Sustainability added that parking on Market Gates is currently only permitted between 5pm and midnight, therefore the loading bays are the only option for parking during the day at this moment in time meaning that the addition of the two taxi ranks would not have an impact. Councillor Bird stated that individuals with blue badges for disability can park at any time on a single yellow line, therefore they will be effected as they will no longer be able to park in this area to collect prescriptions. The Head of Environment and Sustainability stated that there will not be a significant impact on individuals with disabled badges from parking on Market Gates to collect their prescriptions as they would be permitted to use the loading bays when they are not in use, granted that their blue badge is on display.
Councillor G Carpenter requested clarification on whether NCC had already improved the bus improvement plans and whether the Licensing Committee were solely concerned with the changes to the taxi ranks. Councillor G Carpenter also asked whether there was a consultation with the taxi trade specifically regarding these amendments. The Head of Environment and Sustainability stated that colleagues from NCC met with representatives from the taxi trade regarding the impact that the bus improvement plans would have on the taxi ranks and the general consensus was that the taxi trade would prefer two larger taxi ranks that are well signposted as opposed to multiple smaller taxi ranks. It was added that the consensus from this meeting informed the amendments that were presented to the Committee.
Councillor Jeal stated that NCC should have consulted with the the Council as the responsible Licensing Authority for taxi ranks before implementing the bus improvement plans, as it is clear that these plans will be progressed regardless of the decision made by the Licensing Committee regarding the changes to the taxi ranks.
Councillor Jeal raised concerns regarding the potential increase of anti-social behaviour on Regent Road from people who exit the Troll Cart whilst intoxicated and have to walk a further distance to find a taxi. Councillor Thompson suggested that members of the public could walk to the taxi ranks on Market Gates in order to avoid the small crowds that gather on Regent Road as this would reduce the potential for violence or anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Thompson asked whether there is any data to demonstrate the times in which the taxi rank on Temple Road is the busiest, as if it is considerably busier at night time then the amendments would not have a significant impact. Councillor Jeal stated that this taxi rank is busy throughout the day with no evident peaks.
Councillor Annison stated that he fully supports improved bus services, but is concerned about the impact to the taxi ranks, and requested clarification on what would happen to the bus improvement plans if the Licensing Committee were to reject the proposed amendments to the taxi ranks. The Solicitor clarified that there is a conflict in legislation between the powers of NCC as the Highways Authority under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the powers of the Council as the Licensing Authority to appoint taxi ranks under Section 63 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. It was explained that if the Licensing Committee were to reject the proposed amendments, then there would be a piece of land that would be in conflict as to whether or not it is a taxi rank.
Councillor Annison stated that there are concerns regarding the proposed hours that the taxi rank on Temple Road would be used as this is not only located outside a busy pub, but in a central location for people who are travelling into the town to visit popular areas such as Regent Road and potentially the Seafront. It was suggested that the taxi rank should remain in place but be reduced in size to allow for buses to park as well as a number of taxis. The Head of Environment and Sustainability stated that it would be difficult for buses and taxis to use the same area for parking due to safety concerns. It was added that when the taxi trade met with NCC, it was clear that they were not entirely happy with the impact of the bus improvement plans, however they felt that the introduction of two larger taxi ranks and the reduction of hours at the Temple Road taxi rank would be a compromise than multiple smaller ranks.
Councillor Jeal stated that NCC should reconsider the amendments to the taxi rank at Temple Road and that the rest of the amendments were agreeable.
Councillor Annison stated that officers referenced concerns around safety as a reason to not have buses and taxis use the same area, however it would be unsafe to expect intoxicated individuals to cross multiple lanes of traffic to find a taxi.
Councillor Bird stated that there is an area used as parking for coaches that backs on to the taxi rank on Temple Road and suggested that, if the coaches could utilise the bus lane, then the taxis would park in this area instead. Councillor Jeal stated that coaches no longer use this area as they now park outside of the Pound Stretcher shop on Regent Road. Ms S Brown stated that she would not be able to comment on the utilisation of this area for parking at this time.
The Head of Environment and Sustainability asked the Solicitor whether the Council need approval from the Highways Authority (NCC) to use land that is currently a taxi rank should the Committee reject the proposed amendments. The Solicitor stated that this is not clear due to the conflict in legislation mentioned previously, however it was advised that if this issue were to be brought to High Court then it is likely that the Council would not be on the favourable side of the verdict.
Councillor G Carpenter asked whether the area that is currently the taxi rank on Temple Road will be used for buses constantly between 5am and 11pm. Ms S Brown stated that this area will be used for bus parking, loading and unloading consistently between these times.
Councillor Thompson requested clarification on whether the taxi trade were offered a smaller taxi rank on Temple Road when the option of multiple small taxi ranks was discussed. The Head of Environment and Sustainability clarified that this was an option that was offered, however the representatives from the taxi trade preferred the option of two larger taxi ranks that are well signposted. Ms S Brown added that the two well signposted 'super ranks' would also mean that the taxi trade would only have to move once as they would not have to temporarily move for the construction works involved in the bus improvement plan.
Councillor Robinson-Payne stated that people with disabilities exiting the Troll Cart or other businesses on Regent Road may struggle on buses and moving the taxi rank away from Temple Road may make it more difficult for them to find accessible transport. It was asked whether a taxi would still be able to pull up next to the Troll Cart for a temporary pre-booked pick up of a disabled individual. The Head of Environment and Sustainability stated that if someone needed a taxi to temporarily pull onto the curb due to accessibility reasons, then this would likely still occur as taxis will often stop on double yellow lines to perform quick pick ups of pre-booked passengers. Councillor Robinson-Payne requested that this permission be put in writing. Ms S Brown stated that she would ask her colleagues at NCC if this would be possible.
Councillor Annison asked how many buses NCC are expecting to use the new proposed bus stop on Temple Road as it would seem like a waste if the existing taxi rank was moved to accommodate a limited number of buses throughout the day. Ms S Brown stated that this would be a question for the bus companies as NCC do not determine bus schedules and frequency. Councillor Annison asked why these improvements are taking place if NCC is not aware of whether there will be more buses utilising the area at any given time.
Councillor Annison asked whether the Committee had the option to defer this decision to give NCC a chance to reconsider the proposed amendments. The Solicitor stated that the Committee has the legal right to defer, however this could have implications on the work-flow planning of the bus improvement plans.
The Head of Environment and Sustainability stated that NCC conducted a public consultation regarding the need for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and changes to the bus scheme. This consultation was conducted at the same time as the public consultation regarding the proposed amendments to the taxi ranks and it was noted that there were no negative responses received in relation to the consultation conducted by NCC. It was added that if Members were minded to reject the proposed amendments or defer the decision, then conversations would need to be held with NCC regarding what happens next with the bus improvement plans.
Councillor B Wright stated that the bus improvements that have already taken place have had a positive impact on people who prefer this form of public transport as thee has been an increase in the bus provision to areas such as Gorleston, Bradwell and Burgh Castle. It was added that this positive impact is why the bus improvement plan is important, as it provides means of public transport to people who live outside of Great Yarmouth.
Councillor Jeal proposed the following amendment to the recommendation:
That the Committee give approval for the adoption of the proposed amendments regarding the taxi rank at Market Gates Road (north side), Market Gates Road (south side) and Theatre Plain as written in the report. The Committee do not approve the adoption of the proposed amendments regarding the taxi rank on Temple Road.
This proposal was seconded by Councillor Annison.
Following a unanimous vote it was RESOLVED:
That the Committee give approval for the adoption of the proposed amendments regarding the taxi rank at Market Gates Road (north side), Market Gates Road (south side) and Theatre Plain as written in the report. The Committee do not approve the adoption of the proposed amendments regarding the taxi rank on Temple Road.