Agenda item

The purpose of the report is to inform members of the results of consultation carried out between Tuesday 14th September 2021 and 30th March 2022 on the proposed changes to the Council’s current hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy in line with the recommended vehicle standards published in the statutory guidance issued by the Department for Transport (DfT) and for members to make a decision regarding the various proposals included in the report.

 

Contact: Fiona Goldsmith Group Leader, Licensing, Tel: 01484 221000

 

 

Question 1 

Do you agree that licence holders should be required to notify the issuing authority within 48 hours of an arrest and release, charge or conviction of any sexual offence, any offence involving dishonesty or violence and any motoring offence?

 

RESOLVED:

that the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standard be adopted

 

Question 2

Do you agree that the if the Licensing authority make a decision to refuse or revoke a licence due to an individual being thought to be a risk of harm to a child or vulnerable adult this matter should be referred to the DBS?

 

RESOLVED:

that the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standard be adopted

 

Question 3

 

If action is taken by the council as a result of information being received from the police, do you agree that the information should be then fed back to the police?

 

RESOLVED:

that the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standard be adopted

 

Question 4

 

Do you agree that where an applicant has spent an extended period of three or more continuous months outside of the UK the applicant should be required, where possible to provide criminal records information or a ‘certificate of good character’ from the country in which they have resided?

 

RESOLVED:

that the existing policy requirement of six months remain in place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question 5

 

Do you agree that all vehicle proprietors who do NOT hold a valid hackney carriage / private hire drivers’ badge should complete a basic disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) at first application and a check required annually for the duration of the vehicle licence?

 

RESOLVED:

that the existing policy where vehicle proprietors do not require a DBS check remain in place

 

 

Question 6

 

Do you agree that all ancillary staff that work at private hire operator bases and have access to booking records should be required to complete an annual DBS check?

 

RESOLVED:

that the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standard be adopted

 

Question 7

 

Do you agree that private hire operators should keep a register of all staff that take bookings or dispatch vehicles, including confirmation that they have completed an annual DBS check and that they provide their policy on employing ex-offenders, for those persons on the register?

 

RESOLVED:

that the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standard be adopted

 

Question 8

 

Do you agree with the proposed changes to the condition in relation to the recording of bookings by private hire operators?

 

RESOLVED:

that the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standard be adopted in part removing the requirement for “full” in relation to the name of the hirer

 

 

Question 9

 

Do you agree that there are local circumstances that indicate the installation of CCTV would have either a positive or adverse effect on the safety of taxi and private hire vehicle users?

 

 

RESOLVED:

that officers undertake further work/engagement to establish the need for a CCTV policy within Kirklees and submit a report for consideration at a future meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee

 

 

Question 10

 

Do you agree that the council should have a specific policy in relation to stretch limousines?

 

RESOLVED:

that officers develop a specific policy in relation to stretch limousines and submit it for consideration at a future meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee

 

Question 11

Do you agree that the decision making should stay delegated to the Group Leader for Licensing?

 

RESOLVED:

that officers undertake further work to investigate the possible options relating to decision making and prepare a detailed report and submit it for consideration at a future meeting of the Licensing and Safety Committee