Actions Taken by the Licensing Team since the Last Meeting
Minutes:
Further to Minute No. 25, it was confirmed that the Chair and Councillor Burrows had met with Chris Brown and Mandy Shaw about the legislative requirements for community transport vehicles working on school transport contracts, and Chris Brown had agreed to pursue these with the local MP.
Trevor Durham reported that during the past three months one driver’s licence had been revoked and two appeals against revocation had been successfully defended.
The computerised knowledge test was due to go live at the end of April at the lower cost of £50, resulting in more tests being available.
39 vehicles had failed the six-monthly vehicle test, with it being necessary to issue penalty points on two occasions and warnings on six occasions.
It was noted that the Council had responded to the recent national government consultation on taxi and private hire licensing entitled ‘Protecting Users’, details of which had been circulated to the trade. Trade representatives were encouraged to respond to the consultation before the 22 April deadline.
It was noted that invitations for the nomination of trade representatives to serve on the Committee from June, 2019 to May, 2021 would be distributed shortly, to be received by 20 May, 2019.
Actions Taken by the Licensing Team since the Last Meeting
Minutes:
Further to Minute No. 23, Trevor Durham confirmed that following the period of consultation the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy had been approved and was now in operation.
He reported that during the past three months two drivers’ licences had been revoked and one driver’s licence had been suspended (for failing to attend a child sexual exploitation awareness training session).
It was noted that over 500 drivers had attended the awareness sessions. It was agreed to notify operators of those drivers who had not attended and of remaining dates for the training to encourage drivers to attend.
28 vehicles had failed the six-monthly vehicle test, although it had not been necessary to issue penalty points in respect of any of these cases.
A supplier had been appointed for electronic knowledge tests and representatives would be invited to test the process once this was available before coming into operation in the summer.
It was confirmed that there had been no increase in fees and charges for the second successive year.
Further to Minute No. 25, it was noted that the Eckington test station office staff would be available until 5.00 pm to issue plates or would post plates the day after an evening test. Representatives expressed concern that this may not fully resolve the issue of drivers having to return to collect plates.
Representatives raised concern at the revised arrangements for buses at Chesterfield railway station and the restricted space available for taxis dropping off, especially with wheelchair passengers. It was noted that this was on private land and was not part of the Highways Authority’s responsibility. Trevor Durham agreed to investigate further and report back to the next meeting.