COUNCIL COMMON SENSE DRIVERS WELCOME CHANGES TO
WAKEFIELD CITY COUNCIL TAXI SUITABILITY POLICY
Wakefield Council has adopted a new driver suitability policy to show greater leniency for drivers convicted of minor motoring offences, demonstrating a more common-sense approach. The council and taxi/PH drivers across the district have been at loggerheads for more than three years over the ‘six point rule’, IoL’s best practice “guidance” where drivers who racked up more than six points on their licence, for minor offences in three years, faced five-year bans. Drivers have staged regular protests since the council adopted the guidelines in 2019. The council’s licensing committee approved the new policy, which was drafted after an eight-week public consultation, on 25 January Feedback from the consultation, which had thousands of responses, indicated that some of the time frames following conviction before a licence would be granted or renewed were “draconian.”
UNDER THE NEW RULES: • Existing licence holders who accrue seven, eight or nine points will have to complete an advanced driving course
• The same condition will apply to new applicants who have accrued seven or eight points within three years
• Drivers with more than nine points will have revoked or refused
a licence
• The length of bans for more serious offences have
been reduced to one year, however:
• A licence will still not be granted for more serious traffic offences,
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including driving without due care and attention, reckless driving, serious speeding offences and using a ‘hand-held’ device
• No period of time is sufficient for offences of murder, man- slaughter, causing death whilst driving and terrorism offences
• The council will not grant a licence to any applicant who is currently on the sex offender register or on any barred list
• Existing licensees who are placed on the sex offender register or on any barred list will have their licence revoked
• Anyone convicted of a crime involving exploitation will not be licensed, including slavery offences, CSE,
grooming, psychological or financial abuse
• Ten-year bans are proposed for offences including arson, ABH or GBH, robbery, possession of a firearm, assaulting a police officer and violent disorder
• Bans of at least five-years are proposed for obstruction, criminal damage and public order offences In a letter to the council, David Lawrie, director of the NPHTA, said: “We welcome the changes, the partnership and supportive spirit which is clear from reading the recommended changes. “The IoL guidance document has been a bone of contention with many members of the industry nationwide. It has been seen to be draconian by nature, and far too rigid towards drivers. The proposed amendments we see as being far more reasonable and acceptable. “Having spoken directly to some of your licence
holders, the
sentiment is echoed that the changes are indeed welcomed and considered to be a breath of fresh air.” Christopher Woodrow, comment- ing on behalf of Wakefield District Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association, said: “The association hopes that, as a result of the proposed changes, the proper exercise of good judgement and discretion, in conjunction with the revised policy, will result in a far better outcome for the trade, those wishing to enter the trade, the travelling public and the council as regulator.”
GMB TAXI AND PRIVATE HIRE CHARTER:
Another agenda item for the committee meeting was the proposed GMB Taxi and Private Hire Charter. GMB wants the council to adopt and implement its charter,
recognising GMB as
being the main stakeholder and consulting body for the council, with six key requests, some of them ensuring fair treatment of the workforce. Several concerns were raised by committee members and the licensing team, including asking how many drivers are GMB members, and the fact that the council does not employ any drivers, operators, or vehicle licence holders. It was also noted that the other asks are already covered by legislation and current practices anyway. The vote taken was merely to “note the contents of the report”, there was no vote to approve, adopt, or implement the actual charter.
FEBRUARY 2023 PHTM
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