Issue - meetings

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report (LCS-003-2015/16).

The Chairman provided a progress report on the work of the Public Hire Regulations Working Party.

The Chairman reminded the Committee that the Working Party was set up following a report to the last meeting of the Committee in April 2015, to consider if the current regulations were fit for purpose and whether any amendments should be made. The Working Party had considered a revised set of regulations based on the London Public Carriage model, but had not yet formulated any firm recommendations. It was intended for the Working Party to meet on at least one more occasion and a report recommending the adoption of a revised set of regulations would be presented at the next meeting of the Committee in April 2016.

The Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods (Neighbourhood Services) confirmed that the new set of regulations would incorporate the concept that it would be difficult for a driver to get a Licence in Epping Forest if he or she had been refused a Licence elsewhere. The Assistant Director also agreed to circulate the draft guidance to the designated Chairmen of the Sub-Committees.

Resolved:

(1)        That the progress report on the work of the Public Hire Regulations Working Party be noted.

(Director of Neighbourhoods) To consider the attached report.

The Assistant Director, Neighbourhood Services, Mr Nolan presented the report which looked at the regime for the licensing of public hire vehicles, drivers and operators.  Over the past year various problems had been identified and it was also noted that even some of the taxi trade were confused by our regulations. Some of the problems noted were what appeared to be some inconsistencies in the decisions of the sub-committees; a lack of clear guidance to Members regarding their powers, liabilities and responsibilities; a feeling amongst the trade that EFDC was not rigorous enough in the application of its public hire licensing regime; some conditions were unclear; and the attitude of some applicants and licensees towards staff was very poor.

It was also noted that:

·         some of the trade thought that we were a soft touch;

·         that our medical rules were unclear and that we relied on the honesty of the drivers;

·         our conditions were old and out of date;

·         officers noted that things would be changing for hackney carriages in London soon and that we could learn from these changes;

·         because of the recent events in Rotherham drivers should be made aware of, and trained in, at least the basics of safeguarding issues;

·         our staff should not have to put up with abuse from the public and applicants;

·         our interview rooms now have recording equipment and so do the phones;

·         some applicants think that our officers were powerless and that they could go straight to a sub-committee and by-pass them.

Officers have looked into the regime of other authorities and had ascertained that by far the best system was the one employed by the Public Carriage Office in London. They have detailed staff and inspection manuals and were a good base that we could use.

Mr Nolan suggested that a small working group be set up to look into the background of this report back to a future committee meeting. They could also use some guidance from members from their experience on Sub-committees.  Officers could and should provide more and better training for members especially on taxis and taxi drivers as this made up the bulk of applications that they dealt with; but they would also need the input of members in this.

Councillor Morgan agreed with the premise of the report and asked why had there been more trouble over the past year. He also agreed with the suggestion of creating a working group to look into this and to provide more guidance and training on what they should be doing and wondered if it would be possible for officers to give their views on the applications. Mr Nolan replied that it may be possible to do this in open session when the applicant would have a right of reply.

Councillor Lion said it was an excellent report. They have sometimes given the benefit of doubt to applicants and would welcome some more guidance. He would like to know what the proportion was of unsound decision to enable them  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20