Licensing and Appeals Committee
26 March 2012
Agenda Item No______6_______
REVISION OF THE TAXI LICENSING POLICY, HANDBOOK AND LICENCE
CONDITIONS
This report outlines the work of the Members
working party on this matter; the consultation
exercise undertaken and the proposals for changes.
Summary:
Conclusions:
Recommendations:
That Members agree the proposed revisions to
the taxi licensing policy, handbook and licence
conditions and recommend approval to Full
Council
Cabinet member(s):
Ward(s) affected:
Councillor Trevor Ivory
All
Licensing Committee Chairman
Councillor Richard Price
Contact
Officer,
number, and e-mail:
telephone Chris Cawley 01263 516252
Chris.cawley@north-norfolk.gov.uk
1.
Introduction
1.1.
The Members working party have considered changes necessary to the Councils
Taxi Licensing Policy, Handbook and Licence Conditions. Whilst the existing
framework was considered to have stood the test of time and generally be fit for
purpose various changes were needed in the light of equality legislation; changes
in local circumstances and national good practice.
1.2.
The aim of the exercise has been to reduce the administrative burdens on both
the trade and the council in the licensing process whilst improving fairness and
equality yet without reducing the standards of public protection.
2.
The consultation process
2.1.
Proposed changes have been the subject of a 12 week consultation exercise
which closed on 23 February 2012. All licensed drivers and operators have been
Licensing and Appeals Committee
26 March 2012
sent a written questionnaire and 3 area meetings have been held. The
consultation documents have also been published on the Councils website and
sent to various representatives of the travelling public.
2.2.
A summary of the consultation response is attached at Appendix 1 and will be
published on the website.
2.3.
Whilst there has been general consensus on the proposed changes to driver’s
licences this was not the case concerning changes to licensed vehicle signage.
2.4.
The feeling amongst the trade was that vehicles should be readily identifiable as
belonging to a particular operator and that was more important than achieving a
common standard on vehicle signage for the travelling public across North
Norfolk. There was consensus that hackney carriages should have roof signs but
not about the size, colour or wording. There was mixed feeling on whether private
hire vehicles should have or be permitted to have roof signs. There was concern
over the increasing number of licensed public hire vehicles claiming exemption
as executive vehicles from displaying plates.
2.5.
Issues not specifically part of the consultation exercise were raised by members
of the trade at meetings including provision and enforcement of hackney carriage
ranks; vehicle inspections and the voluntary sector.
2.6.
In the light of the consultation on changes to the handbook proposals for
updating the licence fees have been developed. This is currently the subject of
consultation and is included in a concurrent report to the Committee.
3.
The new handbook
3.1.
Officers have redrafted the Licensing Policy, Handbook and Licence Conditions
accordingly incorporating the amendments and making the document more user
friendly and concise. The revised document is attached at Appendix 2
3.2.
The key changes are as follows:
•
Clarification on the signage and advertising allowed on licensed vehicles
•
Driver Licences will now be for 3 years. New applicants will be required to
pass a Driving Standards Assessment; have satisfactory references and
satisfy medical; CRB and DVLA licence checks. They will require similar
checks to be undertaken on each renewal
•
Medicals will not be required annually for some applicants as is currently
the case
•
The medical may be undertaken by the applicants own GP or by a central
test centre (and be paid for directly by the applicant). The standard will be
that of a group 2 licence holder as defined by DVLA and the appropriate
prescribed report form D4 will need to be completed. Applicants with
insulin treated diabetes will be assessed in accordance with the C1
standard as is considered best practice.
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•
26 March 2012
A new points system of enforcement will be introduced (similar to that
operating in neighbouring authority areas) which will provide sanctions
against drivers who breach licence conditions in circumstances which are
not so serious as to warrant suspension or revocation of their licence
3.3.
It is intended that the changes come into effect for all new licence applications on
1 May 2012. Existing licences and renewal applications will be subject to a
phased in transitional approach. Existing Licence holders will be expected to
meet all the revised conditions of their licence on renewal and in all cases by 30
April 2013
3.4.
A retendering exercise for appointment of the Council vehicle testing contractor is
currently in progress with a view to the new contract taking effect on 1 May 2012.
The appointed contractor will test in accordance with national best practice and
report to the revised handbook standards