Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2014 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 27^th March 2014 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman advised that there was one item of urgent business regarding Conditions of Application for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences (minute no. 109 refers).

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda.

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting.) 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B, Section 2, of the Code of Conduct, Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest at this point.

In accordance with Section 100B (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman agreed to consider the report.  The item was considered urgent because changes in funding for the BTEC course had been brought to the attention of officers, following publication of the agenda for the meeting, and the matter needed to be considered immediately.

Members considered the report of the Licensing Manager regarding the removal of the current requirement for all new applicants for hackney carriage and private hire drivers licences to complete a BTEC course - ‘Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire’ - or hold an equivalent qualification.

It was reported that, since September 2008, it had been a prerequisite that all new applicants for a hackney carriage and private hire driver’s licence must pass the BTEC course in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire.  (The report considered by Committee in 2008 was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.) 

Members were advised that most applicants chose to take the BTEC course at Lancaster and Morecambe College.  The cost of the course had been £198 since 2008, but had recently increased to £675.

Officers therefore recommended that the requirement to pass the BTEC course prior to the grant of a driver’s licence be removed and that other options be explored to cover the missing elements.  Members noted that, should the requirement to pass the BTEC course be removed, the customer service and disability awareness training elements would be missing from the driver training.

It was reported that a local knowledge test had been re-introduced recently for all new applicants for hackney carriage and private hire drivers’ licences, and that the DVSA test, which was a practical driving test, had been introduced, with effect, from 1^st April 2014, along with a requirement for any driver of a wheelchair accessible vehicle to pass the taxi wheelchair exercise.  It was noted that many insurance companies offered a discount on premiums for vehicles driven by drivers who had passed the assessment.  

It was proposed by Councillor Dennison and seconded by Councillor Hill:

“(1)      That the requirement for all new applicants for a hackney carriage or private         hire driver’s licence to complete the BTEC course “Transporting Passengers      by Taxi and Private Hire”, or to hold an equivalent qualification prior to the grant of a driver’s licence, be removed.

(2)        That officers investigate whether there is a less costly alternative to the BTEC       course that could cover the customer service and disability awareness training           elements (possibly a requirement for new drivers to complete an NVQ before   the first renewal of their licence) and to report back to Committee if such an        option exists.

(3)        That whilst an option for alternative training is explored, a proviso (that the applicant may be required to complete any training approved before the first         renewal of the licence) be attached to any new grant of a licence in the   immediate future.”

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposition,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

The Committee is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the following item:

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the ground that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Members are reminded that, whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for Committee itself to decide whether or not to consider the item in private or in public. In making the decision, Members should consider the relevant paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers. 

In accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the ground that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12 of that Act.

Report of Licensing Manager

Committee received the report of the Licensing Manager to enable Members to consider whether there was reasonable cause to suspend or revoke Mr. Dent’s hackney carriage and private hire dual driver’s licence.  The item had been deferred from the meeting on 27^th March 2014 in order to allow the complainant to attend and give evidence.

Details of the individual case and a summary of the decision are set out in exempt minute no. 111, in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Resolved:

That Mr. Dent’s hackney carriage and private hire dual driver’s licence be suspended for four months with immediate effect.