Agenda item

1.

Introductions and Apologies

2.

Minutes and Actions from Previous Meeting

3.

GMP Update

4.

Clean Air and Funding Update

5.

Enforcement / Service Issues:-

National Taxi Review:

DBS Compliance:

Website Improvements:

Convictions Policy:

Accessibility:

6.

Specific Subjects for Discussion:-

Terms of Reference and Member Training

7.

AOB

8.

Next Meeting

7 September 2026, 4.30pm (via Teams)

Present

Apologies

Ben Thomson (Chair) – Assistant Director

Khalid Hussain – Bury Hackney Association

Sham Raja – National Private Hire & Taxi Association

David Lawrie – Director of National Private Hire Taxi Association

Charles Oakes – The Hackney Driver Association

PC Peter Eccleston – GMP Bury District

Adam Bucior – Head of Public Protection

Michael Bridge – Licensing Unit Manager

Cllr G McGill – Cabinet Member

Cllr I Babar – Chair of Licensing and Safety Committee

Kirsty Wild – Magnum Whiteline

Habib Ur-Rehman – GMB Union

Matthew Freckelton – Uber

Item No.

Topic

Action

1.

Introductions and Apologies

The Chair opened the meeting and noted that apologies had been received.

New attendees were welcomed, including Councillor Ibrahim (Chair of Licensing and Safety Committee) and Councillor Gavin McGill (Cabinet Lead). A round of introductions was undertaken.

None

2.

Minutes and Actions from Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as an accurate record.

Updates were provided on outstanding actions, including:

• EV Charging: Procurement delays at Greater Manchester Combined Authority level. Bury Cabinet paper expected no earlier than September 2026. Approximately 300 potential sites in areas with limited or no off street parking identified for feasibility assessment.
• DBS Update Service: Ongoing issues regarding payment method (card-based system). Work continues to identify an appropriate contact within DBS.
• CCTV: Discussions taking place for a coordinated Greater Manchester-wide policy approach. This will not mandate CCTV.
• Enforcement and Taxi Ranks: Continued issues noted; intelligence-led reporting remains critical.
• Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles: Confirmed there is no current funding available to modify ranks; position unchanged.

Actions:

• Continue engagement with DBS regarding payment system issues.
• Trade representatives to provide specific intelligence (location/timing) to support enforcement activity reporting directly to parking services.
• Licensing to progress GM-wide CCTV policy development.

3.

GMP Update

A summary of recent incidents was provided:

• 14 taxi-related incidents recorded (drivers both as victims and alleged offenders).
• Members were advised that reporting levels remain essential to support targeted enforcement and police activity.

Actions:

• Trade representatives to encourage consistent reporting of incidents.
• Drivers to remain vigilant during high-risk periods like the World Cup.

4.

Clean Air and Funding Update

• Hackney Carriage funding applications largely processed; 100% of eligible Bury licence holders applied for funding.
• Private hire funding options continue to be explored across Greater Manchester.
• Clean Air funding remains ringfenced; any underspend may be subject to return to government.

Action:

• Licensing Service to monitor funding updates and report back to future meetings.

5.

Enforcement / Service Issues

National Taxi Review:

• Ongoing government consultation following the King’s Speech.
• Potential for national standards covering vehicle specifications, CCTV, accessibility and enforcement which is being considered with current GM CCTV considerations to ensure alignment.

DBS Compliance:

• Significant improvement noted; minimal outstanding non-compliance cases.

Website Improvements:

• Improved online reporting functionality for driver convictions implemented with new quick link button on main licensing page to take drivers to reporting portal.

Convictions Policy:

• Current policy (2014) under review.
• Consideration of aligning with Institute of Licensing (IoL) guidance across Greater Manchester.

Accessibility:

• Only two private hire wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) currently recorded which are published on Councils website.
• Barriers include high capital and insurance costs and limited commercial viability discussed.
• All Hackney Carriage are WAVs and benefit from extended licensing age limits.

Actions:

• Licensing to monitor and report on national developments.

• Licensing to review Bury convictions policy developments.
• Continued monitoring of accessible vehicle provision.

6.

Specific Subjects for Discussion

Terms of Reference and Member Training

The Terms of Reference for the meeting will be reviewed and reissued. Proposed amendments include:

• Formalising quarterly meeting frequency
• Reflecting current chairing arrangements (officer-led)

Members will be invited to comment prior to adoption at the next meeting.

An update was also provided on Licensing Committee training arrangements.

Actions:

• Licensing to circulate revised Terms of Reference.
• Members to provide feedback.

7.

AOB

Open Water Safety Messaging

Members were advised of national concerns regarding incidents involving young people and open water.

The trade was asked to support informal dissemination of safety messaging where appropriate.

AOB Trade Items

• Taxi rank misuse and enforcement
• Private hire vehicles resembling Hackney Carriages

Licensing confirmed these matters would be reviewed.

Action:

• Trade representatives to cascade safety messaging to drivers.
• Licensing to review AOB Trade and provide update to next meeting

8.

Next Meeting

7 September 2026, 4.30pm (via Teams)