For Cabinet to approve the revised policy for private hire and hackney carriage licensing.

(Councillor P Rone declared an interest and left the meeting)

Cabinet received a report of the Acting Head of Environmental Protection & Licensing report on the Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire (Taxi) Policy.  During the discussion the following points were raised:

·           In reply to a question on item 4.3 regarding safety under Breaches of Dual Driver Licence Conditions on page 153 of the report, the Acting Head of Environmental Protection & Licensing said that incidents in these categories were dealt with by the penalty point system.  Should a driver be prosecuted under these categories they could have received up to eight points of a possible twelve on their licence. 

·           The Cabinet Member (Environment, Housing and Planning) said that clarity was required on the issue of emissions.  The Acting Head said that historically a maximum age of eight years was permitted for vehicles used as taxis.  Consultation with the trade had resulted in a decision whereby improved and regular MOT’s were undertaken on vehicles over this age. There were various licence categories, and the panel chose the year 2000 as a starting point for licences, as this was when the M1 and M2 categories were first brought in.

·           That any driver who was found guilty of using another drivers badge was awarded 12 points and had their licence revoked and vehicle taken off the road.

·           That safeguarding issues for both adults and children were considered to be paramount when licences were awarded.

·           In reply to a question, the Acting Head said that some foreign nationals who applied for a licence were unable to provide criminal record checks, as some countries did not undertake these.  In many cases, the Council would ask for a certificate of code of conduct from the applicants embassy. 

RESOLVED: That:    The proposed policy and its supporting documents be approved, subject to the review of condition 4.3c of the Breaches of Dual Driver Licence Conditions at Appendix 1 to the report (Appendix 1) and paragraph 1.8 of Appendix 1 to the report (Appendix 8) Section 1: Licensing of Vehicles – General, with any changes to be made as a result to be approved by the Director of People’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing.