Initial equality impact assessment screening form This form records an equality screening process to determine the relevance of equality to a proposal, and a decision whether or not a full EIA would be appropriate or proportionate.
Directorate	Environment
Service area	Licensing
Proposal being screened	Review of Fees and Charges – Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licences
Officer(s) carrying out screening	Simon Fisher and Gareth Bentley
What are you proposing to do?	The purpose of this report is to present a proposal to vary the current fees and charges relating to the Council’s hackney carriage and private hire licensing functions.
Why are you proposing this? What are the desired outcomes?	To recover the cost of administering licences.
Does the proposal involve a significant commitment or removal of resources? Please give details.	No.
Impact on people with any of the following protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010, or NYC’s additional agreed characteristics As part of this assessment, please consider the following questions: · To what extent is this service used by particular groups of people with protected characteristics? · Does the proposal relate to functions that previous consultation has identified as important? · Do different groups have different needs or experiences in the area the proposal relates to? If for any characteristic it is considered that there is likely to be an adverse impact or you have ticked ‘Don’t know/no info available’, then a full EIA should be carried out where this is proportionate. You are advised to speak to your directorate representative for advice if you are in any doubt.
Protected characteristic		Potential for adverse impact				Don’t know/No info available
		Yes		No
Age				ü
Disability				ü
Sex				ü
Race				ü
Sexual orientation				ü
Gender reassignment				ü
Religion or belief				ü
Pregnancy or maternity				ü
Marriage or civil partnership				ü
People in rural areas				ü
People on a low income				ü
Carer (unpaid family or friend)				ü
Are from the Armed Forces Community				ü
Does the proposal relate to an area where there are known inequalities/probable impacts (for example, disabled people’s access to public transport)? Please give details.		No. Two reviews are underway considering this, with a special focus on wheelchair accessible vehicles. These are currently under consultation. This report is only the set the fees for administering the licences. The proposal is to make no changes to fees relating to wheelchair accessible vehicles. On 21 February 2023, the Executive of North Yorkshire County Council resolved to waive the fees relating to wheelchair accessible vehicles until such time as an Inclusive Service Plan is completed, and any subsequent changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy are implemented. This approach was intended to encourage the provision and retention of licensed wheelchair accessible vehicles in North Yorkshire. The costs associated with applications in respect of wheelchair accessible vehicles have been subsidised by the Council’s general fund (not by other licence holders) since 1st April 2023. The formulation of a new Inclusive Service Plan is underway with a view to identifying potential methods of improving service provision for wheelchair users. Its recommendations will be considered alongside the full review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. The proposed review of licence fees recommends an increase in relation to some licences and a reduction in relation to others to account for changes in personnel, salaries, overheads and operational service delivery, but to retain the existing arrangements in relation to wheelchair accessible vehicles to make the necessary provision while the policy review progresses.
Will the proposal have a significant effect on how other organisations operate? (for example, partners, funding criteria, etc.). Do any of these organisations support people with protected characteristics? Please explain why you have reached this conclusion.		No.
Decision (Please tick one option)		EIA not relevant or proportionate:	ü		Continue to full EIA:
Reason for decision
Signed (Assistant Director or equivalent)		Callum McKeon
Date		12/01/2026