Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Committee meetings held on 16 November 2017 and 28 November 2017; and

To agree as a correct record the minutes of the Licensing Panel meetings held on 06 December 2017

The minutes of the Licensing Committee meetings held on 16 November 2017 and 28 November 2017 and the minutes of the Licensing Panel meeting held on 6 December 2017 were signed as correct records.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

None declared.

To answer questions from members of the public – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received.

The Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer submitted a report which sought the Licensing Committee to consider the implementation of additional criteria to establish whether applicants for hackney carriage and private hire drivers’ licences were fit and proper by:

• Commencing the procurement of a new driving assessment including the launch of a pilot scheme for a trial period of 6 months.

• Considering whether to commence a consultation with the trade and other parties determined as relevant regarding the introduction of a knowledge test.

• Implementing an intended use policy.

• Scoping out the work and cost associated with conducting an unmet demand survey to establish whether the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences issued should be limited.

Members agreed with the recommendations with the exception of the scoping work around limiting the number of hackney carriage vehicle licenses. They considered this work unnecessary.

P Kendall moved that the recommendations in the report be agreed, with the exception of scoping out the work and cost associated with undertaking an unmet demand survey. This was seconded by Councillor J Mounsey.

A vote was taken on the motion. The vote in favour was unanimous. The motion was carried.

Agreed

1. To commence the procurement of a new driving assessment immediately with an initial pilot period of six months for the following:

a)  All applicants for the grant of a new hackney carriage or private hire drivers licence to be passed prior to grant of licence; and

b)  All licence holders obtaining a licence since the suspension of the DVSA taxi assessment as per the minutes of the meeting of 29 September 2016 i.e. “All applicants for the grant of a new hackney carriage or private hire driver’s licence must pass the required assessment to be selected in due course b Allerdale Borough Council within six months of the implementation date of the new assessment. Any licensed drivers appearing before the Licensing Panel with repeated traffic offences may be required to pass the relevant assessment selected.

Exemptions applicable to both a) and b) above if applicant fulfils the following criteria:

a)  Occupation as a Driving instructor;

b)  Occupation as Driving examiner;

c)  Persons holding a driving licence with the following categories entitling them to drive passenger carrying vehicles e.g. buses and coaches:

Category D - Entitlement to drive any bus with more than 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg). (Note this does not include category D1)

Category D+E - Entitlement to drive D category vehicles with a trailer over 750kg

Both of these category holders must complete a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. They must hold a Driver Qualification Card which is valid for 5 years and is renewable subject to evidence that 35 hours of approved training courses has been completed. This is managed by the Driving Standards Agency.

D1 - Minibuses - Vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 metres with a trailer up to 750kg.

D1+E Minibuses with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 329.