Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2019 are attached to be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The minutes of 5 November 2019 were agreed and confirmed and signed as a correct record.

It was noted that the Gambling Policy (Minute 17 of the previous minutes) will be sent out for consultation with the Taxi Policy this year.

To elect a Vice Chairman.

Councillor Wildsmith was elected as Vice Chairman.

To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.

None received.

To declare disclosable pecuniary, and any other, interests*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.

None declared.

The Chairman expressed thanks to Officers in the Licensing Service for their quick response to the Covid-19 outbreak and adapting to the changes with working from home. 

To outline the changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire policy suggested by the Department for Transport under the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards July 2020 guidance (hereafter DfT 2020 guidance) and following the effect on the licensed trade during the Covid pandemic.  

Licensing Committee’s approval to the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy (Taxi Policy) was sought. 

Members considered: 

·             The main changes recommended by the Department for Transport (DfT) 2020 guidance and the reason for adopting it as standard in 2021.

·             DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check for drivers every 6 months via an electronic on-line checking system. 

·             The benefit and cost of signing up to the NR3 register (from the National Fraud Office).

·             Additional signage within a licensed vehicle on how to make a complaint.

·             The licence for a Private Hire Operator (PHO) to include a register of staff all of whom must have a basic DBS check and to be updated regularly.

·             Updated guidance on applying for certificates of good conduct for drivers from outside of the UK with a priority for public safety.

·             Correct storage of data held by a private hire operator in accordance with data protection legislation.

·             Cost implications of any additional workload caused over the next 3 years by the extra checks on drivers, currently unknown but hoped to be absorbed by an efficiency gain.

·             An implementation plan to bring in all the changes requested by the DfT for January 2021 will be reviewed at the next committee meeting.

·             Disability safeguarding training through the Blue Lamp Trust as additional driver tests.

·             The implications of making the use of CCTV in vehicles mandatory and considering the use of body worn videos for additional personal security. 

·             The extension of vehicle age limits to help drivers who may be struggling financially and for a redraft of the consultation document to incorporate a change to the wording to extend vehicle age limits by 1 year (March 2021 to March 2022).

·             High-viz (reflective) jackets/sashes included in the equipment that vehicles are required to carry to be re-inserted into the draft policy.

·             The consultation draft policy would go out for a period of 12 weeks from Monday 16 November 2020 to the start of February 2021.  The revised paper would come back to the Committee for approval, taking into consideration the Committee’s comments.

·             An additional meeting date in March 2021 would be set for this purpose.

DECISION

That the updated policy go out for consultation with the trade and interested parties.

This report sets out the new procedures being brought into the licensing team, and upcoming changes, to provide a more streamlined service to customers and applicants. 

Members considered:

·       The effect of the second lockdown and compliance with the new Government guidelines.

·       Split fees for renewal applications giving applicants up to six months to pay the second half of the driver fee.  Now extended until 13th December but with a reduced payment window from six to three months for the vehicle payment.

·       The investigation by the licensing team for the use of an external private company for medicals for drivers.

·       New legislation brought in on 22 July 2020 under the Business and Planning Act which will be in place until 30 September 2021.

·       The benefit of adhesive plates on licensed vehicles.

DECISION

The report was noted.