Agenda item - Part Time Relocation of the High Street Taxi Rank
Agenda item
Part Time Relocation of the High Street Taxi Rank
Report of the Director of Early Intervention and Support (enclosed).
Minutes:
The Director of Early Intervention and Support submitted a report to advise the Licensing and Public Safety Committee on the results of the consultation to relocate the High Street taxi rank on Market days (Tuesdays); as part of the Market Walk Extension and wider town centre improvements.
The Licensing and Public Safety Committee gave approval on 23 November 2016 to consult on the proposed changes to the High Street taxi rank location, which is the responsibility of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee under the provisions of Section 63 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
A consultation letter was sent directly to registered Hackney Drivers; 13 responses out of 153 (9.6%) were received. 4 were in agreement and 9 disagreed with the proposal – 122 didn’t respond. The public consultation via Survey Monkey resulted in 56 responses of which 46 (75%) were in agreement and 15 (25%) disagreed.
It was also indicated that the Taxi Rank Relocation matter was taken to the Licensing Liaison Panel held in January 2017 where those present were in favour of the proposals. There was no Hackney Carriage representation at the meeting.
Relocating the rank on Tuesdays between 6am and 6pm around the corner to Cleveland Street would enable Chorley’s outdoor market to take place along High Street, in addition to a number of other pedestrian streets in the town centre. Chorley Markets are an important part of the town’s history and economy and the Council wants to ensure that the markets continue to thrive well into the future. The changes proposed in this report would support all existing stalls holders; both permanent and temporary to be offered a space when it relocates.
In addition to the proposed changes to the taxi rank location, there are a number of other changes to TRO’s which would be required. These changes are the responsibility of the Highways Authority who responded indicating that it would be best facilitated under a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) which would enable changes to be made in the future should they be required if, after a period be operational practise, it proves necessary.
The committee addressed the public questions that had been submitted prior to the meeting and Conrad Heald, Market Walk, Markets and Town Centre Manager, provided responses to these questions. It was stated that the council could not give any reassurance in writing about the future location of the taxi rank as the new town centre masterplan proposed the redevelopment of High Street and Cleveland Street in conjunction with the new Civic Square. These outline proposals had already been consulted upon alongside the relocation of the Flat Iron market in October 2016 and further consultation would take place as plans are further developed. The committee were informed that this was a temporary location change in the initial instance, however if this was anticipated to change the Trade would be consulted.
Secondly, it was confirmed that the Portland Street car park could not be used as an alternative location for the market stalls on Tuesdays (Market Day). Following consultation on the proposed temporary relocation of the Flat Iron market, the preferred location given by traders, businesses and the public was for it to be centralised around the pedestrian zone. The parking provision on the Flat Iron car park would be halved by the new development so Portland Street car park would be used as a primary parking location for shoppers to the town centre.
Thirdly, members were informed that Cabinet Officer Guidance used to recommend that consultations run for 12 weeks. However, Cabinet Office Guidance, last updated in January 2016, stated that consultations should be for a proportionate amount of time. An informal consultation period lasting at least as long as the formal statutory consultation period is proportionate. Section 63 of the 1976 Act only requires the formal 28 day statutory consultation. The council has had a voluntary consultation, not required by law since 24 November 2016; therefore the council has gone beyond the minimum legal requirement. The consultation period commenced immediately following the previous Licensing & Public Safety Committee on 23 November 2016 and ran for 8 weeks until 22 January 2017.
Finally, with regards to the process of changing the TRO, Lancashire County Council agreed that any changes to the TRO’s will be done as Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTRO’s) due to the uncertain effect of all the changes occurring simultaneously around the town centre over the next 18 months and they can be implemented within approximately 12 weeks.
Following discussion, the committee was reassured that access to the service yard for deliveries at the bottom of high street would be managed by Chorley Council. The Council had consulted with tenants who have access to the service yard and it was agreed that they would be prepared to work with the council around this by organising deliveries at a different time or different day to make this change more convenient.
After careful consideration and much discussion it was proposed by Councillor John Walker, seconded by Councillor Adrian Lowe, and subsequently RESOLVED unanimously;
1. to authorise Officers to commence the formal statutory 28 day consultation required under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and arrange for a notice in the local press and notice to the Chief Officer of Police.
2. In the event that no further representations are made within the 28 day statutory consultation period which oppose the new rank (or only those which are deemed to be vexatious or frivolous by officers in consultation with the Chair of Vice-Chair) delegated power be given to the Director of Early Intervention and Support to appoint the temporary hackney carriage stand outlined in the report to take all necessary steps to effect this.
3. In the event that further representations are received within the 28 day statutory consultation period which oppose the relocation of the rank on market days and which do not fall into the vexatious or frivolous category outlined above, a report will be submitted to a special meeting of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee for consideration as soon as possible after the expiry of the 28 day statutory consultation period.
Supporting documents:
- LPSC - Taxi Rank Relocation Report Jan17, item 17.LPS.64 PDF 169 KB
- Taxi Rank - Appendix B - Chorley Street Market Plan, item 17.LPS.64 PDF 1 MB