Decision details

Purpose of Report: Following receipt of two petitions, one relating to the introduction of training for licensed drivers, and one relating to the renewal of Uber Britannia Ltd private hire operator’s licence and out of town vehicles working in York, this report will give Members the background for introducing the training and the justification for the fee, the recent decision relating to the renewal of Uber Britannia Ltd operator licence and the legal position regarding out of area licensed vehicles operating within our authority area.

The report will ask the Executive Members to support Officers with regards to the introduction of the training, note the recent decision relating the renewal of Uber Britannia Ltd private hire operator’s licence and the legal position regarding out of area licensed vehicles operating within our authority area. 

Following debate at CMT/Portfolio Holders meeting, it was agreed to withdraw this item from the 25 January Executive and for it to be considered by the Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods at his Decision Session on 19 February 2018 in consultation with the Executive Member for Education, Children & Young People.

This item has been deferred to the 19 March Executive Member for Housing & Safer Neighbourhoods Decision Session,  in consultation with the Executive Member for Education, Children & Young People, to enable further consultation to take place with relevant parties prior to the report coming forward for a decision by the relevant Executive Members.

Resolved:

(i)           That no further action be required in relation to Petition 1.

Reason: An ongoing review of the training is already timetabled. On the 13 November 2017, the Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee considered a report relating to the review of driver training.  The Committee approved the training and the fee and resolved that driver training would be reviewed by the Committee in six months time (scheduled for 21 May 2018).

(ii)          That no further action be required in relation to Petition 2

(iii)        That Officer’s write again to the Department for Transport (DfT) highlighting concerns regarding the number of vehicles working in York that are licensed by other authorities.

Reasons: On the 12 December 2017, the Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee considered a report relating to the renewal of Uber Britannia Ltd private hire operators licence.  The Committee resolved to refuse this application (which is currently subject to an appeal in the Magistrates Court); and

The Chair and Vice Chair of the Gambling, Licensing and Regulatory Committee, and the Executive Member for Planning and Transport have already written to the two local MPs requesting that they ask the Department for Transport (DfT) to put hackney carriage and private hire reform back on the agenda.  The DfT has formed a Taxi and Private Hire Working Group to consider the adequacy and efficiency of legislation and guidance concerning the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles in England.