ROUND THE COUNCILS.. WAKEFIELD: AMENDMENTS TO TESTING STANDARDS
On 18 November the Licensing Committee reviewed the standards following a four-week consultation on the transmission of light in vehicles. The Committee approved a reduction in light transmis- sion from 70 per cent to 35 per cent with a 5 per cent tolerance for windows to the rear of the driver. As per legal requirements, the front windscreen must permit a minimum of 75 per cent transmission of light through and the front side windows must allow a minimum of 70 per cent. Additionally the Committee approved an extension to grandfather rights of 18 months from the currently extended date of 1 March 2021, extending all grandfather rights to 1 September 2022.
BASINGSTOKE: CABBIES COULD BE GIVEN PENALTY POINTS
Taxi and PHV drivers in Basingstoke could face new tougher licensing measures as the borough council looks to introduce a new ‘penalty points system’. The Romsey Advertiser reports that the borough council’s licensing committee discussed the new proposals on Monday 2 November, which would see licensed PHV drivers, taxi drivers and private hire operators in Basingstoke given penalty points for breaches of licensing conditions or legislation. If a driver is given 12 points in a year, their licence could be reviewed by the council. The council is also introducing a six-month DBS check for all drivers and operators as well as staff working in call centres. Council officer Robert Draper told councillors that the new penalty points system “offers us another tier of enforcement”. He said: “You can accrue up to 12 penalty points in any 12-month period. If you reach the magic number, you make an appearance before a sub-committee. They will decide whether you remain a fit and proper person. There’s no instant justice. This is about us putting drivers in front of yourselves to make a judgement.” A report prepared for the meeting said: “The council aims to ensure that drivers, operators and vehicles licensed within the borough conduct their business to the highest standards and can be held to account for their performance.”
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The new system would allow officers to give disciplinary measures which could include a verbal warning, written warning, penalty points or suspension or revocation of a licence. Points range from four to 12, with four points given for breaches including parking in contravention of parking restrictions and unnecessarily prolonging a journey. The worst offences would be given 12 points, which includes plying for hire. Other breaches include abusive or un-cooperative behaviour, which would be given six points, and using a licensed vehicle without a valid compliance certificate, which would also be given six points. The committee agreed for the proposals to go to consultation.
HYNDBURN: ABUSE SAFEGUARDING POLICIES TIGHTENED
Hyndburn Borough Council is to strengthen its training for taxi and private hire drivers on sexual abuse awareness and county lines drug gangs. The council is to adopt strict new government guide- lines aimed at ensuring customers remain safe. Its cabinet approved amendments to its Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy on Thursday 12 November included an updated training programme in line with new DfT requirements. Health and Communities boss Cllr Munsif Dad told senior councillor colleagues that the changes were supported by drivers. A report to councillors said: "The purpose of setting standards is to protect children and vulnerable adults, and by extension the wider public, when using taxis and PHVs.” The changes include: • DBS checks will need to be carried out on drivers every six months instead of the current three years;
• licence holders should be required to notify the issu- ing authority within 48 hours of an arrest, charge or conviction of any sexual offence, any offence involv- ing dishonesty or violence and any motoring offence instead of the current seven days;
• all licence holders will be required to undertake safe- guarding training which must include 'County Lines' training;
• private hire operators will be required to keep a regis- ter of staff booking and despatching of vehicles; and
• private hire operators will be required to produce a policy on employing ex-offenders.
DECEMBER 2020
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