Agenda item

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

The Executive Director (Operations) submitted a report relating to the review of  decisions taken by the Council during the Covid 19 Pandemic. As a result of the COVID 19 pandemic lockdown a number of practical matters were required to be implemented to ensure safe working practices for clients of the licensed hackney carriage and private hire trade as well as for officers of the licensing service.

In light of this an urgent report was considered by the Council Emergency Powers Group on the 14th July 2020.

The Licensing Service requested authorisation of the following matters:-

To postpone the receipt of new applications for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers for a period of three months until the 30th September 2020.

This was requested as new applicant drivers would not be able to satisfy the Council’s pre-requisites requirements before applying for a licence. Partner agencies took decisions to the suspend their services as a result of Covid 19 including providers of taxi driving tests, safeguarding training, and communications tests.

• To suspend the requirement for medical examinations for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver’s renewal applications until the 30th September 2020.

Drivers are required to produce medical certificates that prove that they meet the DVSA Group 2 Medical Fitness to drive. Drivers were experiencing difficulty getting medical appointments due to doctors amending their working practices following the COVID19 pandemic. The Licensing Service currently require drivers to self-certify medical fitness and submit to medical examinations once such appointments become easily available.

To issue a twelve-month Hackney Carriage and Private Hire driver licence provided that all the requirements to hold the licence have been satisfied.

This was done following the request to provide some financial assistance to drivers, the reduced duration of the licence therefore attracted a reduced charge and costs £60 instead of £180 which is the cost for a 3 year licence. These fees have been reviewed and currently an annual drivers licence is £62 and a three year licence is £185

To suspend the provision of the required Private Hire & Hackney Carriage knowledge test for new applications until further notice due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

This was done to ensure government guidelines on safe working practices which affect licensing staff were followed. There was also a need to implement social distancing measures for drivers attending the test to reduce Covid 19 transmission.

The Licensing Service reviewed the previous decisions and asked that members consider whether or not to reinstate the following:

• To re-commence the provision of the Knowledge Test for new applicant drivers

The report stated that the preferred option would be to re-instate the knowledge Test. This ensures that applicants have a good knowledge of the local area and are aware of the conditions of their licences should they be granted.

• To re-commence the issuing of three-year hackney carriage/private hire licences, with drivers paying the requisite £185 fee.

The report stated that the preferred option would be to re-commence issuing three-year driver’s licences at the current fee and cease to issuing 12 month drivers licences. Section 53 (1)(a) of the Local Government (miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 states every licence granted by a district council under the provisions of this Part of this Act to any person to drive a private hire vehicle shall remain in force for three years from the date of such licence or for such lesser period, specified in the licence, as the district council think appropriate in the circumstances of the case.

• To re-commence the requirement that all existing drivers due a group two medical produce a medical examination certificate from their own doctor or the approved contractor.

• To re-commence the receipt of new driver applications for Hackney Carriage/Private hire driver’s licences.

The report stated that the preferred option would be to re-commence the receipt of new applications due to applicants now being able to fulfil the pre-requisite requirements of the application process.

Responding to a Member’s question the Licensing Manager reported that the Knowledge Test would be undertaken in the Council Chamber.

Delegated decisions:

That the following arrangements will re-commence from the 21^st June 2021:

• The Knowledge Test.
• The issuing of three year hackney carriage/private hire licences paying the requisite fee.
• The requirement that all existing drivers that are due a group two medical produce a medical examination certificate from their own doctor or the approved contractor.
• The receipt of new driver applications for Hackney Carriage/Private hire driver’s licences.