Agenda item
OPERATIONAL REPORT
A report from the Executive Director (Operations) is attached.
Minutes:
The report set out updates in respect of the following issues:
The Licensing Service had dealt with a number of compliance and
enforcement matters between the 4th April and the 15th May 2022.
SECURITY OF LICENCES
The Licensing Service were seeking a prosecution of a driver who produced a
Fraudulent Private Hire Drivers Licence to his Private Hire Operator in order
that he could continue working. As a consequence of this investigation
holograms are now to be added to all licences as an extra security measure.
Operators have been informed to check for this when a licence is produced to
them and have been informed to always ask for the original and not a
copy/photocopy of official documentation.
AMENDMENT OF PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE CONDITIONS
Stage 2 Minimum Licensing Standards was approved at full Council on 24th
November 2021 and part of this was new conditions for Private Hire Vehicle
Licences. All Private Hire Vehicle Licences issued on or after 25th November
2021 are now subject to the new conditions. Bury were the first Licensing
Authority in Greater Manchester to implement Stage 2 Common Minimum
Licensing Standards. Due to unexpected delays with the implementation of
Stage 2 Minimum Licensing Standards across Greater Manchester, details
regarding previous signage requirements were omitted from private hire
license conditions. This omitted information was detailed in the report
attached to the agenda packs listed under condition 5.
A new set of conditions containing the information was sent out to all affected
licences on 6th May which replaced the conditions that were previously
attached to affected licences. The conditions have been amended for all
private hire vehicle licences being issued going forward. Any new conditions
related to vehicle signage will be brought before the Licensing & Safety
Committee and included in the report on new vehicle livery and signage as
specified in the Stage 2 Minimum Licensing Standards report.
PARTNERSHIP WORKING
Licensing Enforcement Officers worked alongside GMP on the evening of
Friday 29 April. Fifteen premises were visited across the borough and checks
carried out. Three premises were advised to obtain Challenge 25 signage
(signage to advise that ID is needed to purchase alcohol if you appear to be
under the age of 25), two premises were advised as they were not displaying
the summary of their licence and one takeaway was advised that they were
not permitted to open past 11.00pm and must obtain a licence if they wished
to do so.
FEE INCREASE
6=Under Section 70(3) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 1976 notice was given on 14 April 2022 of the proposal to increase the
current fees charged in respect of licences for Hackney Carriage Vehicles,
Private Hire Vehicles and Private Hire Operators. The 28 day objection period
for this ended on 12 May 2022 and no objections were received. Therefore
the new fees to be implemented are as below.
Vehicles under 3 years old £238.00 (£182.00 plus £56.00)
Vehicles over 3 years old £294.00 (£182.00 plus £112.00)
Private Hire Operators 1-2 vehicles (1 Year) £288.00
Private Hire Operators 3 or more vehicles (1 Year) £410.00
Private Hire Operators 1-2 vehicles (5 Year) £1401.00
Private Hire Operators 3 or more vehicles (5 Year) £1955.00
A member enquired when a review into the new design of licenses which included holograms would be conducted and it was stated by the Licensing Unit Manager that an update report would be produced for a future meeting in relation to badges.
Another question raised from the report was what work with the taxi trade had been undertaken in relation to concerns of vehicle livery on a local level. The Head of Public Protection reported that the trade liaison meetings started again in April with another taking place mid-June with attendance by GMP. Standing items of concern would be on the agenda and a further report on this matter would be produced in the future for this committee.
Whilst it had been reported that no objections had been received in relation to fee increases a Member asked had an assessment been undertaken on the numbers of taxi licences as there had been a decrease of Hackney Carriage vehicles in recent years. Another Member asked what the justification was for the increased figure. Upon request by the Chair, the Licensing Unit Manager would circulate the data to the Committee regarding the number of vehicles/licenses for Bury and added that the fees are for running the application process and testing procedures.
It was agreed:
That the report be noted.
Supporting documents:
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