Council and democracy

Agenda item

Statement of Policy and Guidelines relating to the relevance of Convictions, Formal / Simple Cautions, Complaints and/or other matters - Taxi Licensing

Minutes:

The Principal Licensing Officer explained that the report set out the proposals for changes to the current Statement of Policy and Guidelines relating to the relevance of Convictions and other matters, seeking views of Members of the Licensing Committee on the proposals before the revised document went out for public consultation.

 

The following points were a summary of the proposed changes to the policy:

 

           Includes a particular reference to the failure to disclose/notify convictions, cautions or other relevant matters on application or during duration of licence, and that failure to do so may be treated as deception and could give rise to the refusal, revocation, or suspension for that reason alone.

           Makes clear that Cautions issued by any authority will be included, not just the police.

           Inclusion of Restorative Justice, Restorative justice gives victims the chance to meet or communicate with their offenders to explain the real impact of the crime, for any kind of communication to take place, the offender must have admitted to the crime, and both victim and offender must be willing to participate. Restorative justice can be used for any type of crime and at any stage of the criminal justice system, including alongside a prison sentence.

           There is now an enhanced definition of the categorisation of offences with additional examples given.

           References to racially or religiously aggravated offences have been included, with the timescale for rehabilitation reflecting the seriousness of these Hate Crimes.

           The inclusion of Counter terrorism offences.

           Splits Motoring Convictions into three Categories: Major, Intermediate, Minor, and gave detailed examples of the type of offences under each category.

           Revised time periods for inclusion of motoring offences.

           Inclusion of reference to drivers repeatedly using unfit vehicles.

           Includes guidance on complaints received by the licensing department and other offences under the taxi legislation.

 

Members asked for further clarification regarding the DVLA traffic offences codes. The Principal Licensing Officer informed the Committee that a detailed copy of the DVLA Traffic offences would be circulated after the meeting.

 

Councillor Jones questioned how responsible taxi drivers were when using an unfit hire vehicle in line with the proposed change in the policy - Inclusion of reference to drivers repeatedly using unfit vehicles. The Principal Licensing Officer explained that it was the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicle was fit for use. Members were informed that many taxi drivers in Thurrock used either their own or company vehicles.

 

The Committee were informed that all taxi drivers completed a DBS check (Disclosure Barring Service) when applying for a driver’s licence and every three years after that, Councillor Redsell queried if this was the same for school contracted taxi drivers. The Principal Licensing Officer confirmed that all taxi drivers followed the same procedure, it was added that DBS checks were sent off a few months prior to the drivers renewal date to ensure it was received on time. Members were informed that Essex Police would notify the Licensing Department regarding convictions if it was made apparent that the criminal was a taxi driver at Thurrock Council, The Principal Licensing Officer made clear that the Home Office had stopped notifying authorities’ a few months ago.

 

Councillor Redsell questioned if taxi drivers could be suspended if their DBS check had not been received in time for renewal. The Principal Licensing Officer felt that it would be unfair to stop taxi driver from working and assured Members that it was against the Licensing conditions to not notify the Licensing department of a conviction, it was added that a renewal form was completed each year which required all taxi drivers to declare any convictions.

 

Councillor Gerrish asked for further clarification regarding drivers repeatedly using unfit vehicles. The Principal Licensing Officer explained that action would be taken upon the same driver if found with a dangerous vehicle defects such as bald tyres on more than one occasion.

 

Councillor Gamester questioned if the Licensing Department monitored how often taxi drivers completed eye tests. The Principal Licensing Officer explained that taxi drivers completed a medical examination which required an eye test.

 

Councillor Maney questioned if the Licensing department could refuse applications on the grounds that an applicant was a member of a banned extremist group. The Principal Licensing Officer explained that applicants could be refused on those grounds but explained that a specialist opinion would need to be obtained to strengthen the wording around counter terrorism in the proposed policy.

 

Resolved:

 

1.         That the Licensing Committee considers the proposed recommendations for changes to the Statement of Policy and Guidelines relating to the relevance of Convictions, Formal / Simple Cautions, Complaints and/or other matters, and approves the policy as in Appendix 2 for public consultation; or

 

2.         Suggests amendments and or inclusions to the policy for inclusion before public consultation.

 

3.        That the Licensing Team would consult with Essex Police and PREVENT regarding counter Terrorism to strengthen the wording in the revised Licensing Policy.

 

4.        That the DVLA Traffic Offences will be circulated to the Committee with further detail.

 

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