Members considered a report that detailed the outcome of an Unmet Demand Study commissioned by Torbay Council in response to guidance issued by the Department from Transport.  The guidance states that a quantity control study of unmet taxi demand should be undertaken approximately every three years. 

Members received a presentation from Ian Millership of CTS Traffic and Transportation Services Ltd who advised that the study commenced in April 2018, the study included 300 hours of rank observations, 212 on street interviews, a questionnaire sent to all Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers and vehicle licence holders and separate questionnaires sent to local businesses and stakeholders.

Resolved:

i)       that the current quantitative limit of Hackney Carriage licences of 162 full time licences with 7 additional summer (seasonal) only licences be maintained;

ii)      that a further report be presented to the Licensing Committee in 6 to 12 months following full consideration of the impacts of the study relating to future unmet demand and pollutant vehicles, in order to present proposals relating to increasing or deregulating the quantitative limit in the future; and

iii)     that the current vacant summer licence should remain unallocated pending the outcome of the report requested in ii) above.