Dear Northamptonshire County Council,

I am undertaking a study of availability of wheelchair accessible taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs) , collectively 'WAVs' . Council contracts can often occupy a large proportion of licensed WAVs at key times which are then not available for hire by other wheelchair users.

Please supply a list/spreadsheet/link etc showing the current contracts and providers of WAV transport for your schools/SEN /Social Services. Please show their business contact details (preferably phone numbers). I will need to contact a sample as part of the study.

If possible, please indicate if the contract provides for a Personal Assistant.
There can be some uncertainty as to whether a WAV driver with a medical exemption certificate (wheelchair or assistance dog) can delegate responsibility to a Personal Assistant for operating vehicle lifts, ramps ,hoists, restraints etc . If you have a policy or instruction on this, please include it.

Yours faithfully,

Dick Fowler