Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting on any matters for which this Panel is responsible.
Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time if required.
Minutes:
Members of the public were in attendance at the meeting and submitted the following verbal questions:-
Mr Muhammad Sajjad Warraich from the Private Hire Drivers Association in Bury had a number of questions. He asked why Bury was the first authority across Greater Manchester following consultations to approve common minimum licensing standards, when other authorities have made amendments to them and others have paused the process. He then enquired and commented on the age restrictions on vehicles and the impact on local drivers within the standards and also questioned why accident damaged vehicles that had been written off will be refused licences, when these cars have previously been used on the road as taxis and Vosa (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) approve them as roadworthy.
In response to the first question, the Licensing Unit Manager reported that the common minimum licensing standards had been through the Council’s governance process. Whilst Bury may have been the first to approve 6 other authorities had followed suit. Some minor amends had resulted in items such as bonnet stickers being paused for 2 years.
The Licensing Unit Manager went on to advise that the taxi trade did have an opportunity to put across their views during the consultation period in relation to age restrictions for vehicle. The results of consultation had been considered and the standards had now been adopted by the Council.
In relation to the last question, the Licensing Unit Manager referred to the report later in the agenda in relation to written off vehicles and advised that a decision would be taken by the Committee later in the meeting on this subject.
Mr Aijaz asked a question regarding a friend who had applied for a vehicle licence but it had failed the Council’s Licensing standards due to the tinted windows on the vehicles. The Chair advised that it was not appropriate for the Committee to comment on individual cases and the Licensing Unit Manager added that direct engagement had taken place in relation to this matter and a report may be presented to a future meeting.
Mr Aijaz raised a further question on the same matter and asked why drivers were unaware of the policy change in November as it did not appear to be in the minutes from the Council meeting. The Licensing Unit Manager reported all drivers had been emailed in early December which contained a link to all the changes made in late November by full Council, the decision being to accept the recommendations in the report.
Mr Warraich then raised a query regarding an individual driver who had been to Pakistan and now had to apply as a new driver. The Chair advised that it was not appropriate for the Committee to comment on individual cases.
Mr Warraich raised a further question on common minimum licensing standards and local authorities who had not yet approved it and drew attention to Bolton Council, querying why they are referred to as ‘common’. The Council’s legal representative pointed out that although referred to as ‘common’ this was to promote consistency across Greater Manchester. However, Bury Council act in their own right as a local licensing authority, the standards had been through the correct governance process and it was for each Council to decide whether to adopt and enforce the standards as each has their own individual powers and legislation duties and obligations.