Agenda item

To consider the new Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards (Report of the Licensing and Business Support Manager enclosed).

The Licensing and Business Support Manager and Licensing Team Leader introduced the report relating to Taxi Licensing and the new national standards which were published this summer by the Department for Transport.  All Licensing Authorities are required to have regard to these new national standards.

The Licensing and Business Support Manager informed the committee that the national standards relate to safeguarding and the protection of adults and vulnerable children from harm. Extensive consultation was carried out when they were written. It was recommended that view would be received from the local traders through the recommendation process.

The Licensing Team Leader informed the committee of the key points raised within the standards as show in Section 1.5 of the report.

The Licensing Business Support Manager informed the committee that some of the standards are already in place at SHDC so will not be new for the trade, but it would give consistency amongst the neighbouring authorities.

Members enquired about how long the consultation process would take. The Licensing and Business Support Manager confirmed that the length of the consultation process would be a matter for the committee, but the recommendation would be 6 weeks to allow for the trade to be able to look through the document and make any enquiries.  Once the consultation had ended the authority would collated results and produce a report to come back to the committee.

Members asked about overseas conviction and needing a reference of good character.  The Licensing Team Leader informed the committee that the reference of good character would come from the Embassy of the country that the individual seeking to obtain a license was resident in.

Members also enquired about what level of English drivers would need to have.  The Licensing Team Leader stated that it was yet to be decided how the level of English needed would be determined, however a basic level of English would be required.

The Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services thanked the Licensing Team Leader for the report and added support for the consultation process and asked if 6 weeks consultation would be long enough and also asked where the consultation would be going.  The Licensing and Business Support Manager stated that 6 weeks would be long enough, however if additional time would be needed this could be done.  The Licensing and Business Support Manager also informed the committee that as well as the consultation document going out to the trade, it would also go out to various stakeholders including the police and Lincolnshire County Council and would also be post on the SHDC website.

Members asked how members of the public would be engaged in the consultation process as the end users.  The Licensing and Business Support Manager stated that a consultation paper would be produced which would explain what the national standards were, but would not asked any specific questions related to the standards, but would ask for the opinions of the general public and the trade.  Members also enquired whether the local press would be informed about the consultation process.  The Licensing and Business Support Manager stated that this was something that could be considered.

Members also enquired as to whether consideration would be given to drivers have knowledge of the area.  The Licensing and Business Support Manager informed the committee that although this would not form part of the national standards or be included in the consultation process the Policy was being reviewed in 2021 and this would be looked into.  The Licensing Team Leader also informed the committee of training to be provided from the Blue Lamp Trust which was a driving standards test being introduced for drivers in the District.

Members enquired what embassies would check in relation to certificates of good character.  The Licensing Team Leader informed the committee that within the certificate the embassies are required to check for convictions and each embassy has their own systems to check.  Any driver from overseas are also required to provide work permits and visas which are required by law as well as supplying the certificate which would also show previous address history.

AGREED:

That the report be noted.