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:
Mr Charles Oakes of the Hackney Drivers’ Association Ltd addressed the members of the Licensing and Safety Panel in relation to the proposed variation to the Private Hire Operator Fees. Mr Oakes stated that there has been no consultation over this proposal and the other proposals to raise fees for drivers’ licences, and asked why this had not taken place.
The Licensing Unit Manager explained to the Panel the chronology of events since July 2104, when drivers were initially advised of the proposed changes in legislation and that a driver’s badge would be valid for three years. It was explained that the Deregulation Act 2015 received Royal Assent on 26March 2015 and that the draft report to go before the Licensing and Safety Panel had been prepared for consideration in August 2015.
On 25 August 2015 an email was sent to Mr Oakes with a copy of the report that was to be considered at the Panel on 3 September 2015. Mr Bridge also spoke with Mr Oakes and advised him that the fees, although not yet approved, would be in the region of £170 and Mr Oakes seemed agreeable with this. Mr Bridge further advised the Panel that on 27 August the operational decision for approval of the licence fees was sent to the Interim Executive Director of Resources and Regulation, and was signed off by him on 2 September 2015.
The required statutory notice for operator’s fees was published in the Bury times on 10 September 2015 and on 7 September 2015, a letter was sent to all drivers informing them of the fees and the proposals to deal with DBS matters which were also to be considered at the next Panel meeting.
The matter came before the Panel on 3 September and was approved and on 11 September all Operators were advised in writing of the notice in the Bury Times and the changes brought in by the legislation.
Mr Oakes then made an FOI request for justification of the fee of £170 and a response was sent to him on 5 October 2015.
Mr Rook, the temporary Chair to the Greater Manchester Private Hire Association then addressed the Panel and explained that Manchester and Salford Councils had come under the scrutiny of the Audit Commission, due to the number of the trade members opposing the proposed increase in fees and as a result the proposed increase in drivers’ and Operators’ fees had been rejected.
Mr Rook stated that Manchester Council has now proposed the Operator’s license at £650 for 5 years and a driver’s licence at £103, which are savings to the trade and offered to meet with Bury Council to discuss this issue.
The Licensing Unit Manager explained that the fees have generally not been raised by the Council for some time and it is national legislation affecting all local authorities that has led to their review. He went on to explain that he has contacted colleagues at other authorities in relation to their fees, and he set out some of the fees charged by others.
Mr Rook queried why the licence fees could not be consistent throughout all the AGMA Authorities and that it was important to discuss this issue with members of the trades and consultation was paramount.