Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration which provides an update on taxi and private hire licensing activity and enforcement priorities.

(Report attached)

The Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration submitted a report which provided an update on taxi and private hire licensing activity and enforcement priorities.

The Executive Officer, Taxi and Private Hire Licensing presented the report and together with representatives from West Yorkshire Police addressed the following issues:

·  The detection of plying for hire and touting continued to be a priority

·  There were more “out of town/ cross border” vehicles operating in Leeds

·  There was now more cross border working with other local authorities including joint training and the creation of a database of over 500 “out of town/cross border vehicles observations”

·  Late September would see the introduction of two specialist police officers to work with TPHL enforcement on Friday/ Saturday nights using two high visibility police vehicles and having access to automated number plate recognition systems

·  Improved information sharing with the Police and Safer Leeds in respect of disclosure arrangements

·  The promotion of good taxi awareness in the city, via a web page, including how to lodge a complaint

·  The introduction of a new complaints recording system, allowing monitoring of trends and improved analytical reporting

·  660 compliance inspections undertaken in a six month period

·  Planned enforcement activity

The issue of out of town vehicles was raised, one Member suggesting that he had witnessed on at least three separate occasions vehicles with out of town plates parked up on Aire Street, it was queried if the drivers could be prosecuted?

In responding the Executive Officer said out of town drivers could be prosecuted if observed plying for hire but could not be suspended. Daytime enforcement within the city centre was difficult because the enforcement teams were not on patrol until 8.00pm

Members queried if the vehicle insurance became invalid if the vehicle was involved in an accident which was outside the Local Authority area where the vehicle was registered.

In responding officers suggested that the vehicle insurance may not become invalid, as a minimum the vehicle would usually have third party coverage.

Referring to the increase in the number of out of town vehicles, Members queried if there were a sufficient number of Enforcement Officers to carry out the necessary checks.

In responding, officers reported that the Police were shortly to provide further resources which would assist enforcement operations, there was also a vacant post for a TPHL Enforcement Officer and this was currently been pursued.

Referring to paragraph 3.11 of the submitted report, Members queried if there were any issues around taxi drivers refusing to take passengers who were been assisted by a Guide Dog.

Officers reported that of the 401 complaints received only 3-4 related to access issues (wheel chair accessible vehicles). It was reported that joint working with Guide Dogs for the Blind had taking place in early 2017 using a telephone test purchase operation to ensure compliance with the Equalities Act 2010. It was noted that currently there was only one driver who had a medical exception to transporting a passenger who was accompanied by a guide dog.

Referring to the number of complaints received (401 in a 7 month period), it was suggested by one Member that, that figure represented a very small percentage given there were 60,000 journeys per month.

The Chair said the figures quoted demonstrated how safe it was to travel by taxi in Leeds.

Members suggested this was a positive endorsement for the trade and should be promoted accordingly.

Members welcomed the promotion of good taxi awareness scheme as referred to in section 3.5 of the submitted report. It was also suggested by Members that drivers should encourage passengers to occupy seats in the rear of the taxi to avoid potential safeguarding issues, such advice to be incorporated within drivers training.

The Chair made reference to the consequences of de-regulation and reminded Members of the letter that had been previously sent to the appropriate Minister responsible together with all Leeds Members of Parliament calling for more robust and national licensing and enforcement of taxis (hackney carriages) and private hire vehicles, drivers and operators.

In providing an update the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration said that a Private Member’s Bill was currently progressing through Parliament “Licensing of Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill 2017-19”. It was reported that the Bill had had its 1^st reading on 19^th July 2017 with the 2^nd reading scheduled for 2^nd February 2018.

The Chair suggested to Members that in their discussions with Leeds MPs they should be encouraging those MPs to support the Bill.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  To support the Council’s Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Enforcement activity

(iii)  To welcome and promote how safe it was to travel by taxi in Leeds

(iv)  That all Leeds MPs be encouraged to support “Licensing of Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Bill 2017-19” currently progressing through Parliament