Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory which sets out the recommendations of the Department of Transport Task and Finish Group established to review legislation around Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer, Elections and Regulatory submitted a report which set out the recommendations of the Department of Transport Task and Finish Group established to review legislation around Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing.

Appended to the report were copies of the following appendices:

·  Department for Transport and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing: Steps towards a safer and more robust system (Appendix No.1 referred)

The Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Manager, Communities & Environment explained the background to the report and the main issues considered by the Task and Finish Group which included the following:

·  Consider evidence relating to the adequacy of current taxi and PHV licensing authority powers, as set out in legislation and guidance, making recommendations for actions to address any priority issues identified. Specifically:

·  Identify the current priority concerns regarding the regulation of the sector, based on evidence of impact and scale across England;

·  Consider, in particular, the adequacy of measures in the licensing system to address those issues;

·  Consider whether it would advise the Government to accept the recommendations made in the Law Commission’s May 2014 report on taxi and PHV legislative reform relevant to the issues, and;

·  Make specific and prioritised recommendations, legislative and non-legislative, for action to address identified and evidenced issues.

Commenting on the recommendations generally, it was suggested by one Member that a good deal of new legislation was required. Was there a timescale for delivery.

In responding the Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Manager said the Government were currently working with the Taxi policy team with possible implementation within 2 to 3 years. It was suggested that a number of the proposed recommendations were already operating in Leeds and it may be appropriate that Leeds put themselves forward to participate in any proposed Pathfinder Work.

Commenting on Recommendation No.25 (All drivers to undertake safeguarding /child sexual abuse and exploitation awareness training including the positive role that taxi/PHV driver could play in spotting and reporting signs of abuse and neglect of vulnerable passengers). Members queried if it would be possible for West Yorkshire and York to have a separate agreement which would have higher standards.

The Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Manager said it was likely that not all authorities would be agreeable to higher standards, many smaller authorities did not all have the same resources as the larger authorities and would only sign up to the minimum standards.

With specific reference to Recommendation No.17 (Vehicles must be fitted with CCTV subject to strict data protection measures). Members sought further information around possible funding.

Members were informed that there had been positive contact with the Associations and Trade Unions on the issue of CCTV in vehicles but further guidance and an understanding of the possible implications was required.

In drawing the discussion to a conclusion the Chair said Members appeared to be supportive of the Task and Finish Group’s recommendations. There was some conflicting guidance but that was an issue for central Government to address. In terms of offering assistance, the Chair sought the support of Members for Leeds to participate in any appropriate Pathfinder Work and to write to the appropriate Minister responsible.

Members were supportive of the proposal.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report by noted

(ii)  To support the proposed review and alignment of the Council’s ongoing Policy Review in line with the recommendations contained in of the Department of Transport Task and Finish Group

(iii)  That the Chair, on behalf of the Licensing Committee be requested to write to the Minister responsible, Nusrat Ghani MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, offering the services of Leeds City Council’s Taxi and Private Hire Licensing to participate in any appropriate Pathfinder Work the minister may considered necessary.