Decision details

OPERATIONAL REPORT

Decision status: Redraft Awaited

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) submitted a report advising Members on operational issues within the Licensing Service.

 

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

 

·           Enforcement Operation

 

On 5 July 2018 a multi-agency operation took place with the Licensing Service, Police, DVSA and HMRC at Tops Park, Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom, in which 15 licensed vehicles were stopped. Of these vehicles, one was prohibited by the DVSA due to failed indicators and the Licensing Service suspended the vehicle and following discussions with the driver, the plates were removed.  Three drivers were warned of their obligations as a driver due to incorrect signage on their vehicle, which have since been presented correctly and a private hire driver was not wearing his private hire driver’s badge, for which he received a warning.

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·           Common Minimum Standards – Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Trade

 

On 5 July 2018, the Chair of Licensing and the Licensing Unit Manager attended a meeting at the headquarters of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which was attended by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, to discuss issues Local Authorities are experiencing in respect of common minimum standards in relation to out of town vehicles driving within their Borough.  Following this meeting on 11 July 2018, the Licensing Unit Manger attended a meeting of the Greater Manchester Licensing Managers group to further discuss issues and updates will follow.

 

·           Trade Liaison Meeting

 

Minutes were provided to the members of the Licensing and Safety Panel of the Taxi Trade Liaison meeting on 11 July 2018, which was attended by representatives of the Hackney carriage and Private Hire Trade.

 

·           Multi-Agency Visits – Gambling commission

 

On 25 June 2018, the Deputy Licensing and Licensing Enforcement Officers took part in joint enforcement visits with the Gambling Commission, in which a betting shop and an adult gambling centre were visited but no issues were found.

 

·           Appeal to Crown Court

 

The Licensing Service are currently defending an appeal at the Crown Court in respect of a revocation of a hackney carriage driver’s licence, following a decision on 19 October 2017 by the Licensing and safety Panel.  The appeal is now listed for a full day on 13 September 2018.

 

·           Review Application

 

A Licensing Hearings Panel has been scheduled for consideration of the Sir Robert Peel, Sunnybank Road, Bury, following a review application from an interested party.

 

·           Safeguarding Training

 

The Licensing Service are currently in the process of reviewing the safeguarding training taking into account the common minimum standards and further updates will follow.

 

·           Application Process – Pre-requisites

 

A review of the pre-requisites required prior to making an application to become a licensed hackney carriage and private hire driver is currently under way.

 

     It was agreed:

 

                   That the report be noted.

 

Publication date: 14/11/2018

Date of decision: 02/08/2018

Decided at meeting: 02/08/2018 - Licensing and Safety Committee

Accompanying Documents: