Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director (Operations) is attached.

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

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

• MANDATORY SAFEGUARDING

The Licensing Service has undertaken a review and records and have identified 39 drivers who have not undertaken safeguarding training. The Licensing Service will write to those drivers to advise them that they need to complete the training as a matter

of urgency. Failure to complete the training may result in the Licensing Service taking further action.

• CLEAN AIR PLAN – EXECUTIVE MEMBER BRIEFING

On the 21st May 2021, an Executive Member Briefing took place in relation to the Clean Air Plan, this was held by Transport for Greater Manchester.

• EASING OF LOCKDOWN – STEP 2 - WORKING WITH MARKETS

Officers of the Public Protection Service have been advising the markets office in relation to the requirements of Step 2 – Lockdown easing. Cafes that were unable to put tables and chairs outside their stalls and businesses were permitted to create a food court style operation for patrons to utilise.

• EASING OF LOCKDOWN – STEP 3 – HOSPITALITY

Officers of the Public Protection Service have hand delivered 326 letters to licensed premises to advise them of their obligations before the Step 3 requirements came into force on the 17th May 2021.

• GO ELECTRIC TAXI EVENTS

The Licensing Service have been working with Transport for Greater Manchester to inform both the Hackney Carriage and Private hire Trade of two workshops that have taken place on the 15th April and the 29th April 2021. The workshops were arranged to assist Hackney and Private Hire drivers understanding about EV vehicles, charging, debunking myths and

to allow questions directly to manufacturers of Electric Vehicles.

• INCREASE IN VEHICLE AND OPERATOR LICENCE FEES

The Licensing Service have advertised the increase in fees for vehicle and operator undersection 70(3) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. No objections to the fee increase was received therefore the fees were increased on the 23rd April 2021.

The new fees are as follows:

Vehicles under 2 years old £229.00 (£173.00 plus £56.00)

Vehicles over 2 years old £285.00 (£173.00 plus £112.00)

Any Vehicles allocated 3 tests per year £341.00 ((£173.00 plus £168.00)

Private Hire Operators 1-2 vehicles (One Year) £274.00

Private Hire Operators 3 or more vehicles (One Year) £390.00

Private Hire Operators 1-2 vehicles (5 Year) £1334.00

Private Hire Operators 3 or more vehicles (5 Year) £1862.00

• REQUEST TO CONTACT LICENCE HOLDERS WHO LIVE IN BOLTON

Following the request of the Health Protection Board, the Licensing Service have sent out over 998 emails and 49 letters to licence holders that live in Bolton to advise them of the variant of concern that is in circulation and reminding them of their responsibilities and to follow the latest Government advice.

Members sought assurances from the Licensing Manager that the issues of concern raised in respect of facilitation of the Safeguarding Training by an external provider have been addressed. 

It was agreed:

That the report be noted.