Agenda item

Up to 60 minutes is allowed for this part of the meeting unless extended by the Chairman of the Council or on a motion moved, duly seconded and approved by the Council.  Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.

Members may ask one supplementary question in addition to their original question.

The questions received are set out in the order received in the agenda papers.

In accordance with Rule 12(1) of the Council Procedure Rules, Members of the Cabinet responded to the following questions:

(1)     Councillor H M Williams asked the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Regulatory Services, Councillor M Bates:

“What can the DDC licensing department do to ensure that Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (W.A.V) taxis are available in the Deal area?”

In response the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Regulatory Services stated:

“Dover District Council does not currently mandate vehicles to be a wheelchair accessible design. However, such vehicles are encouraged by offering a reduced licence fee.

The Council maintains a list of Designated Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles in accordance with S167 of the Equality Act 2010. A designated wheelchair accessible  vehicle is a licensed hackney carriage or private hire vehicle which can carry a passenger whilst they remain in their wheelchair. This list is published on the council website. It is updated when information becomes available following issue of licences.

There are currently 7 such vehicles licensed within the Dover District. The Council will continue to review the need and demand in the district in order to properly inform its policy and views. The Council will also  continue to offer financial incentives, by way of a discount on the licence fee, for applicants wishing to licence wheelchair accessible vehicles as hackney carriage and/or private hire vehicles.

The Council commissions an Unmet Demand Survey every 3 years to establish whether there is any unmet demand within the Dover District with regards to the use of hackney carriage vehicles. The survey is currently being undertaken, and views have been sought from town and parish councils, members of the council, the general public via social media and the council’s website, the taxi and private hire trade, local community groups, local disability groups, Social Services, age concern groups and care homes, etc. Although the survey has yet to be finalised, the feedback from the consultants is that there have been no concerns raised with regards to the availability of wheelchair accessible vehicles. However, it is appreciated that the private hire trade serves the market better as those with mobility issues and additional assistance needs would tend to pre-plan and pre-book their journeys.

Dover District Council is committed to ensuring that the needs of the public are met by the hackney carriage/private hire licensing trade, so anyone who is experiencing issues is encouraged to let the Licensing Team know so that we are aware of any ongoing issues, and can take appropriate action as necessary.”

There was no supplementary question asked.

(2)     Councillor P M Brivio asked the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Regulatory Services, Councillor M Bates:

“Can an update on the proposals for a crematorium at Guston be provided?”

In response the Leader of the Council, Councillor T J Bartlett, stated:

“I have no further progress to report at this time. I understand that a report on the next steps will be submitted to Cabinet for consideration in the coming months.

Just for clarity only, the proposed site is only partially in Guston with the majority situated in Whitfield.”

There was no supplementary question asked.

(3)     Councillor P M Brivio asked the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Regulatory Services, Councillor M Bates:

“Is the Fastrack project on schedule to come within the budget that was awarded for the scheme?”

In response the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Regulatory Services stated:

“As it stands the project is projected to come in at £300k over the budget of £24.9m. The Council is working with project partners to achieve value engineered savings that will bring the project back within the budget envelope.”

There was no supplementary question asked.