Agenda and minutes

Present:

Ben Thomson – Head of Public Protection – Chair

Cllr. Charlotte Morris – Cabinet Member for Culture and & Economy

Cllr. Sandra Walmersley – Chair of Licensing

Michael Bridge – Licensing Unit Manager

Laura Swann – Assistant Director Operations Strategy

Nazmul Islam – Business Engagement Officer

Sandra Walmersley – Chair of Licensing

Habib – GMB Northwest Private Hire Rep

Charles Oakes – The Hackney Drover Assoc. Ltd

Charles Oakles – the Hackeny drivde assoc ltd

David Lawrie – National Private Hire Taxi Association

Muhammad Warraich– Private Hire Drivers Association Bury

Peter Eccleston – GMP Bury District Licensing Officer Bury district licensing officer

Matthew Freckleton - Uber

Raja Adil - PSG

Kirsty Wild– Whiteline – Magnum Whiteline Taxis

Naveed – Private Hire Drivers Association Bury

Naveed Aijaz – Private Hire Drivers Association Bury

Sham Raja – PHDA

Minutes:    Maureen Foden

1.

Welcome & Apologies

Sgt. Andrew Vernon, Khalid Hussain,

2.

Matters arising Agree minutes of previous meeting 12/10/22

The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a true record.

3.

GMP Update

Peter Eccleston attended the meeting on behalf of Sgt. Andrew Vernon and gave the following update.

A private hire taxi driver was held at knife point and his taxi was taken and found two days later in Milton St North. This investigation is ongoing with CID, with every effort being made to identify the perpetrator. On the night this happened it was rang in 10 minutes after the incident occurred later, this is why there was not an automatic response. Investigation is ongoing. Seemingly, the driver gave chase and was asked to back off as a knife was involved. A meeting was held by GMP to try and allay drivers fears and to give assurance that everything is being done to resolve this. Licensing Service have reached out to the driver and are working with GMP to help with this investigation.

There was another incident involving a private hire driver who went through a red light, was stopped and the car was searched, and with Class A & B drugs were found, which he was arrested for intention to supply drugs and failing to provide a sample. This is still under investigation and was a Wolverhampton licensed driver. This was not a Bury licensed driver.

A driver gave an account of an incident that he was involved in where he was physically assaulted and had issues with the response received when reporting it. This is being investigated by Sgt. Vernon as there is a lack of confidence amongst the drivers for GMP.

GMP are looking at funding 10 cameras in private hire taxis, they will be trialled for both day and evening night shifts to monitor what is happening. This will be looked at for the as long term if successful.

They are also looking at offering self-defence classes for drivers which will be provided by the police and will go though some self-defence techniques.

There are hot links, which is targeted at the night-time economy on Friday and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.