Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report informing Members of two recent Government consultations in relation to the future of the taxi and private hire trade.

The first consultation involved a call for evidence from the Transport Committee as to whether or not the current licensing framework was fit for purpose and where it could be improved.  There had been calls for a whole review of the framework for a long time, to make it fit for purpose and bring it up to date.

There were around three hundred local authorities – each with their own Licensing Policies – which did not promote consistency.  This meant that some individuals were able to ‘licence shop’ and find an authority that may give them a licence when they have been unable to obtain one from their own local authority.  This would then allow drivers to go back and work in the area where they had previously been refused or revoked.

The table at paragraph 2.9 showed the reductions in licensing numbers since 2019, with a reduction of nearly 47% of drivers, 35% Hackney Carriages and 36% of private hire vehicles.

The second consultation sought views on a proposed Statutory Instrument (SI) relating to automated passenger services and supporting the deployment of commercial self-driving pilots.

Councillor John Williams asked if it was true that taxi drivers did not have to put a sign on their doors showing which company they worked for.  Members were advised that this would be covered in the next report.  Different local authorities had different rules and policies. 

The Chair stated that the report had highlighted that, whilst the legislation was there, each authority was able to interpret it in their own way – some doing it to offer greater protection to its residents and visitors and others just to get more drivers.

Councillor Adcock stated that the current system punished authorities with higher safety standards and rewarded those with lower standards.  He asked if there was a centralised national register for taxi drivers and was it mandatory for local authorities to sign up to.

There was a register but it only held the names of drivers who had had their licence revoked, refused or suspended.  Every licensing authority was legally bound to look at the register  when considering new applications  and to consult the authority that had made the entry onto the register.  This would not mean they had to refuse an application but had to take the information into account.

The Chair stated that, should a taxi driver be refused at Newcastle – for legitimate reasons and another authority issued that person a licence, their culpability would greatly heighten with any losses, damage or injury to the person harmed.

Resolved:    (i)       That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)             That Officers submit a response, in agreement with the Chair and Portfolio Holder, to the call for evidence in relation to the Transport Committee’s Inquiry into the Licensing or taxis and private hire vehicles; and

(iii)           That Officers submit a response, in agreement with the Chair and Portfolio Holder, to the Department for Transport consultation in relation to Automated passenger services: permitting scheme.

Watch the debate here