Decision details

The Assistant Director (Localities) submitted a report advising Members on operational issues within the Licensing Service.

The report set out updates in respect of the following issues:

·         Pre-application assessments – The Licensing Manager informed the Members that assessments are continuing to be undertaken by the Adult Learning team.  From 28 October until 2 December 2016, 30 assessments have been carried out, of which 27 passed, 3 failed with none failing to attend.  The general feedback from candidates has been largely positive and there have been no complaints or disagreements when a candidate has been unsuccessful.

The two suppliers who have been authorised to undertake the pre-requisite driving assessments are Defensive Driver Training and Mitchells.  The feedback from the Defensive Driver Training examiners was that the standard of the drivers who pass is very

good with only a few minor errors, with a 76% pass rate of the candidates that attended. 

Mitchells have carried out around 150 Driving Test Assessments for the Greater Manchester Authorities, of which a number have been for Bury Council.  The pass rate of these tests is around 50 to 60% but there is not a figure specifically for the candidates of Bury Council.

·         The Licensing Unit Manager explained that in relation to the Immigration Act 2016, Licensing Service staff has recently attended training in relation to the new provisions around preventing illegal working in the private hire vehicle and taxi sector.  With effect from 1 December 2016, the provisions in the 2016 Act prohibit all Licensing Authorities across the UK from issuing to anyone who is disqualified by reason of the immigration status and other immigration safeguards into the existing Licensing regimes across the UK.  The Licensing Service is currently amending their procedures to comply with the requirements of the Act.

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.