Issue - meetings

The Corporate Director of Economy and Place to present a report, which in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution seeks the Executive‘s formal adoption of amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy in relation to:

·        Driver training; and

·        Determining the suitability of applicants and licensees as drivers in taxi and private hire licensing

The report also advises of the joint work of the West Yorkshire and City of York Licensing Authorities, consultation undertaken and the amendments to the policy following the consultation. 

Resolved:  That Option 1 be approved and the amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy be adopted.

Reason:     To allow the council to align policies in relation to training and suitability with the West Yorkshire authorities, which will help ensure that people across the six authority areas are transported safely and protected from harm to standards applied consistently across the area.

The Corporate Director of Economy & Place and the Head of Public Protection presented a report which asked Executive formally to adopt proposed amendments to the council’s Taxi Licensing Policy in relation to driver training and determining the suitability of drivers.

The proposals followed a request from Council Leaders of the five West Yorkshire Authorities and the City of York for authorities to harmonise their taxi licensing policies. On 15 July 2019, the Licensing & Regulatory Committee had recommended that Executive adopt the new training policy summarised in paragraph 12 of the report and attached in full at Annex 1.  New applicants would have to undertake and pass the training before being licensed; existing drivers to attend refresher courses every three years. The Committee had also recommended adoption of a strengthened policy in relation to suitability, with particular regard to previous convictions, as summarised in paragraph 14 and attached at Annex 2, to come into effect from 1 October.  This policy was in line with new guidance issued by the Institute of Licensing. Summaries of the responses to consultation on the proposed policies were attached at Annexes 3 and 4.

Taking into account the consultation responses, the following options were available:

Option 1 – adopt the proposed policy changes in relation to driver training and determining the suitability of applicants and licensees.

Option 2 – make further amendments before adopting the policies.

Option 3 – determine that no change is required to current policy.

In response to questions from Members, officers confirmed that:

·        The proposals would help standardise driver conduct and greatly assist enforcement action across the region.

·        Work was ongoing towards introducing minimum requirements in respect of local knowledge.

·        Compliance with anti-idling measures could be included in the training.

Resolved:  That Option 1 be approved and the amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy be adopted.

Reason:     To allow the council to align policies in relation to training and suitability with the West Yorkshire authorities, which will help ensure that people across the six authority areas are transported safely and protected from harm to standards applied consistently across the area.