Agenda item

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Officer presented a report which provided members with the outcome of the public and trade consultation regarding application standards for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers.

It was reported that at the meeting of the Committee on the 7^th September 2023 members had considered a report on the Review of Application Standards for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers. Members had been presented with options to consider, including amendments to disclosure and barring certificate providers, training requirements and driving assessments as part of the application process.

It was determined that a period of consultation be undertaken prior to any decision by the Committee.

The Committee was advised that the consultation had run from the 2^nd October to the 30^th October 2023 and had consisted of a survey of 11 questions.

201 responses had been received plus a further 5 emails. The survey responses and emails were appended to the report for the Committee’s consideration.

It was reported that the Licensing Manager had met with Lancaster and Morecambe College who could no longer provide the City and Guilds Level 2 qualification currently required as part of the licenced driver application process but had proposed a bespoke 2-day certificate instead.

Members asked a number of questions in relation to the driver test and the 2 day certificate as well as discussing the driver shortages.

The Committee thanked the Licensing Team for the diligent way they had completed the consultation and presented the findings as well as the work done with Lancaster and Morecambe College.

It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton-Cox and seconded by Councillor Bottoms that;

“The following recommendations be taken to the next Taxi Working Group meeting and those discussions be reported back to the next Licensing Committee meeting for a final decision to be made;

1)    Adoption of a driving test subject to more details of the test being provided by the Licensing Team.

2)    Outsource DBS checks on behalf of new and renewal applications for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage driver’s licences.

3)    Adopt the 2-day certification course provided by Lancaster and Morecambe College as a requirement to be completed prior to licensing.

A vote was taken and unanimously carried.”

Resolved:

That the following recommendations be taken to the next Taxi Working Group meeting and those discussions be reported back to the next Licensing Committee meeting for a final decision to be made;

1)    Adoption of a driving test subject to more details of the test being provided by the Licensing Team.

2)    Outsource DBS checks on behalf of new and renewal applications for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage driver’s licences.

3)    Adopt the 2-day certification course provided by Lancaster and Morecambe College as a requirement to be completed prior to licensing.