Agenda item

Present

Apologies

Ben Thomson (BT) – Assistant Director - Chair

Adam Bucior (AB)- Head of Public Protection

Michael Bridge (MB) – Licensing Unit Manager 

Sham Raja (SR) – National Private Hire & Taxi Association 

Charles Oakes (CO) – The Hackney Driver Assoc. Ltd 

David Lawrie (DL) -  National Private Hire Taxi Association

PC Peter Eccleston (PE) – GMP Bury District

Khalid Hussain (KH) – Bury Hackney Association 

Habib Rehman (HR) – GMB Activist
(Uber)

Councillor C Morris (CCM)- Cabinet Member

Item No.

Topic

Action

1.

Welcome and Apologies

PC Peter Eccleston (PE) – GMP Bury District

Khalid Hussain (KH) – Bury Hackney Association

Habib Rehman (HR) – GMB Activist

(Uber)

Rachael Lester (RL) – Minute Taker

2.

Minutes & Actions of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were circulated in advance.

All previous actions were completed

3.

As no GMP representative was present, Item 3 was deferred.

Members were invited to raise issues they would otherwise have directed to GMP.

Key points raised:

• Expectation that GMP provide written updates in absence

BT to request update from GMP

4.

Clean Air Update

BT and MB provided an update on Greater Manchester Clean Air activity:

Signage

All Clean Air Zone signage has now been removed in Bury.

Motorway network signage removal is ongoing but expected to complete by end of March.

ANPR Camera Use / Repurposing

Discussions ongoing between TFGM and GMP regarding converting Clean Air ANPR cameras for crime and disorder detection.

Further consultation required due to DPIA requirements and original purpose limitations.

Charging Infrastructure

CO and SR raised concerns about insufficient public EV charging points.

A GM?wide procurement is concluding to appoint a supplier to deliver significant numbers of new chargers across all 10 boroughs.

Installation will take time (site surveys, governance, works), possibly up to 24 months.

SR highlighted differences in provision across boroughs and historic discussions at GM roundtables.

BT and MB to provide further updates following the GM Clean Air meeting (camera repurposing, signage, funding progress).

BT to share progress on EV charging contractor appointment once confirmed.

5.

Enforcement / Service Issues

Private Hire Funding

-          £4.45m identified for PHV upgrade support.

-          Expected grants: £5,000 interest free loan OR £1,000 non-repayable grant.

-          System arrangements being developed with Growth Hub.

Hackney Support Fund

-          All Bury Hackney proprietors (100%) have applied.

-          Across GM: 990 eligible vehicles, 274 applications received as of 23 Feb.

Local Transport Authority Consultation

-          National consultation open until 1 April 2026.

-          Proposal reduces 263 licensing authorities to 70 return to the LTAs consultation.

Trade encouraged to respond individually as council cannot respond on their behalf.

MB to provide update on private hire upgrade funding as discussions with Growth Hub progress.

MB to continue work on identifying Hackney funding uptake and provide future reporting.

BT to submit Bury Council and GM-wide representation to the consultation.

6.

Trade Requested items

DBS Update Service – Driver Immediate Suspensions (Operator Rep: KW)

A significant and extended discussion took place.

Issues Identified

-          Large numbers of drivers falling off the Update Service = automatic suspension.

-          Failures largely due to card renewal or change, not driver intent.

-          Drivers often do not check emails regularly; many unaware they had fallen off.

-          The system only allows updating card details when payment is due, not at any time.

Operator Experience (KW)

-          Receiving suspension lists every two weeks (approx. 20 drivers at a time).

-          Drivers experience 2–6 weeks loss of income awaiting new DBS.

-          Operator systems (Autocab) now used to force drivers to check status proactively.

Council / Trade Discussion

-          MB emphasised legal requirement to be satisfied drivers are fit and proper.

-          Suspensions unavoidable if DBS lapses.

-          104 suspended since September; 66 reinstated.

-          Trade argued for temporary badges; council policy currently prohibits this.

-          Case law cited (Cartlidge v Gedling) suggesting suspension for DBS delay may be challengeable.

Hackney Association Items (KH)

a. Private Hire Vehicles Ranking Opposite Tram Station & On Hackney Ranks

-          Reports of private hire vehicles parking on ranks at Silver Street, Bolton Street, Market Street and Kay Gardens.

-          Delivery drivers also parking on ranks.

-          Out of town operators and private vehicles also observed.

Council response:

-          Parking Services have issued several PCNs and are escalating to potential clamping/lifting for repeat offenders.

-          Enforcement limited by officer availability and evidential requirements.

-          Photos helpful for intelligence but cannot always be used as sole evidence.

a.    Private vehicles parked on taxis ranks 

-          Council observations confirmed Hackney drivers are not using available ranks, enabling misuse by others.

-          Signage and road markings need refresh; highways to be notified.

b.    Illegal Private Hire Vehicles Plying for Hire

-          Raised through examples around interchange and town centre nighttime economy.

-          Council reiterated importance of reporting incidents to Parking Services immediately with time/location evidence.

BT to write formally to DBS highlighting national update service failings (card based system).

(BT)Officers to explore more proactive communications and education for drivers.

(MB) GM Licensing Managers group to discuss issue at regional level.

DL/KW to draft a joint information piece for PHCM magazine on how drivers can prevent falling off the update service.

MB to notify Highways regarding worn/faded road markings and signage at ranks.

(MB) Continue enforcement and coordinate with Parking Services for repeat offenders parking on ranks.

(ALL TRADE REPS) Encourage reporting to Parking Services with time?stamped evidence; use this to direct patrols.

7.

AOB

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Policies / Training

• Dave raised safety concerns regarding side?loading vs rear?loading WAVs and lack of electric wheelchair training in some councils.
• Request for Bury to review its WAV training content and WAV policy.
• BT noted rank infrastructure built for side?loading and changing this borough?wide would be costly but committed to review.

CCTV in Vehicles

• Operators report rising number of safeguarding and false?allegation cases where CCTV/dashcam footage has been crucial.
• Discussion on mandating CCTV.
• GM considering region?wide policy; Bury monitoring progress.

Need to ensure any CCTV policy aligns with GDPR requirements; dashcams often non?compliant.

MB to review WAV training material to ensure electric wheelchair safety content is included.

BT to reassess rear?loading policy including rank infrastructure implications; provide update at next meeting.

MB Check progress of GM-wide CCTV policy and report back at next meeting

8.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

Proposed next meeting:
Monday 1 June 2026 at 4:30pm – In person at Bury Town Hall (Rooms A & B)