ROUND THE COUNCILS SUNDERLAND: NEW LICENSING POLICY ADOPTED
Taxi and PHV drivers have been officially issued with a new list of rules to help keep passengers safe and comfortable when travelling in Sunderland. The rules and regulations went live at the beginning of January and are based around driver standards, background checks, previous convictions and dress code. There is also provision for ensuring only eco- friendly vehicles are used in coming years. Council chiefs say the regulations are in line with national and statutory standards issued by the DfT. Cllr Jill Fletcher chairs the council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee which approved the council’s first statement of private hire and hackney carriage licensing policy in December. Cllr Fletcher said: “The policy sets down eight major objectives and how the overriding objective of the taxi licensing regime is the protection of the public, with particular emphasis upon safeguarding children and vulnerable people and to protect them from harm.” From 1 January 2023 key points in the policy include: • a new Convictions Policy and Assessment of Previous Convictions document relating to licensing drivers
• a new Code of Conduct for licensed drivers and the responsibilities they have towards passengers
• a new 48-hour self-reporting period for matters such as alleged offences, convictions, cautions and fixed penalty notices that could affect a licence
• a new dress code for drivers requiring long trousers, knee-length shorts or skirts or dresses. T-shirts must be full body length and have short sleeves. Footwear not secured round the heel is banned and sportswear is deemed inappropriate. No headwear or items that partially or completely cover the head, face, or which conceals the identity of the driver, except for religious purposes.
• a new Driver Improvement Scheme which aims to improve the standard of driving of licensed drivers. Existing drivers who accrue more than six penalty points and up to nine penalty points for minor driving offences within a three-year period will be requested to complete a driver improvement course
• changes to the specifications of tinted windows in licensed vehicles. Those provisions went live in December 2022, and stipulate only manufactured body-tinted glass is permitted
• private hire operators to assess the suitability of their booking and dispatch staff
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The council also outlined that as Sunderland becomes a more low-carbon city, it aims to only issue vehicle licences to ultra-lo/zero emission vehicles by 2030. Taxi companies say they welcome the new regulations, adding they have been pushing for some of the changes themselves recently such as local authorities sharing information through a National Register of Taxi Licence Refusals and Revocations. Full details of the policy are at:
https://bit.ly/3vT4MF5
BLAENAU GWENT: FEARS DRIVERS COULD LICENCE SHOP
Concerns have been expressed that drivers could pop over to neighbouring local authorities to get a licence that costs less. On January 10, at meetings of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s General and Statutory licensing committees, councillors discussed proposals to freeze licence fees. Trading standards and licensing team manager, Steve Osborne said: “There are huge economic pressures placed on businesses and consumers. “We propose that fees remain the same.” Mr Osborne explained that freezing the fees would cost the council £2,300 which would be managed in the environment and regeneration department’s budget. Documents on the proposals included fee comparisons with neighbouring councils. On Taxi Licence fees Blaenau Gwent charge £295: while Torfaen charge £246, Monmouthshire charges between £227 and £236, Caerphilly charge £197 and Merthyr Tydfil charge £154. Cllr George Humphreys said: “It’s alarming, the fact that if a taxi driver wanted to go to another borough to get a licence, he could get it cheaper. “To me it’s not attracting business, we are in desperate need for taxi services.” Committee chairwoman Lisa Winnett said: “We’re experiencing some really bad challenging times, residents and businesses are struggling with the cost of living crisis. “The taxi trade has been hit very hard with soaring fuel costs and not increasing the fee will help them. “I know the council is facing massive budget cuts as well but I welcome not increasing the licensing fee.” Councillors unanimously agreed fees should stay at: New Hackney Carriage or Private Hire vehicle: New licence application – £295. Renewal licence – £239.
FEBRUARY 2023 PHTM
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