Agenda item

Jon Bryant, Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report which asked the Committee to identify the type of door signs to be adopted by the Council and whether the signs should be solely adhesive or whether they could be mounted magnetically.  He noted that it was a requirement to display the Mid Sussex logo, the new door signs help protect the public and would be introduced from 1 October 2022.  He noted some issues of using a magnetic fixing for the door signs, theft of the signs and possibility of them becoming detached when incorrectly attached or when vehicles travel at high speed.  Some licence holders prefer to remove the signs as they may only have one car which is also used as a family car.  However, he noted that a licensed vehicle is always a licensed vehicle even if it is being used for family purposes.  He confirmed that licence holders would cover the cost of the backing for magnetic signs if that option was selected and must notify the Council  if signs are lost. The fees are reviewed annually and any additional costs arising from the implementation and enforcement of the revised policy would be met, where necessary through changes to taxi and private hire licence fees and charges.

Members discussed the possibility and implications of theft of the magnetic door sign and were advised that many vehicles would also have a roof sign to indicate they were a bona fide licensed vehicle and the impact of adhesive signs on paint work.   Members agreed to the adhesive signs.

Following a question for the Chairman the Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that the door signs for Hackney Carriages would be the same shape and similarly all Private Hire vehicle would have the same shape door sign.  The colour of the door signs would match the colour of the licence plate, white for Hackney Carriages and yellow for Private Hire vehicles.  He confirmed that all Hackney Carriage Vehicles will have to be white from 1 October 2022 and Private Hire vehicles can be any colour except white. Crawley Borough Council have white logos on their licenced vehicle which are also white, and these are highly visible.  

As there were no further questions the Chairman took the Members to the recommendations that the Committee identify the type of door sign to be adopted and whether the signs are solely adhesive or if vehicle proprietors can mount them magnetically.

Councillor Marsh proposed elliptical door signs for Private Hire vehicles, this was seconded by Councillor Anthea Lea.  The Chairman took the Members to a vote which was agreed unanimously.

Councillor Laband proposed rectangular door signs for Hackney Carriage vehicles, this was seconded by Councillor Cromie.  The Chairman took the Members to a vote which was agreed unanimously.

Councillor Marsh proposed adhesive door signs, this was seconded by Councillor Cromie.  The Chairman took the Members to a vote which was agreed with 11 votes in favour.

RESOLVED

That the Committee approved adhesive door signs for licensed vehicles, elliptical signs for Private Hire and rectangular signs for Hackney Carriages.