Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence received from Councillors K Loydall, Ms K Chalk and R Thakor.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 22 January 2015, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chair introduced the new Licensing Team to the Members stating that: the new Licensing Officer is James Mortell; the interim Licensing Team Leader is Stephen Eyre who is from North West Leicestershire District Council and; the Legal and Licensing Assistant who is Sophie Illston.

Councillor Atwal declared and interest in that he is a Taxi Driver by profession for Leicester City Council. However he stated he came to the meeting with an open mind so was allowed to stay.

The Licensing Team Leader outlined the report advising Members that some taxi drivers take out weekly insurance policies which creates extra data-entry work for Officers. He advised that this extra work infringed on enforcement work. The general trend amongst taxi drivers was reported to be a taking of a 12 month policy but pay it on a monthly basis. 

He referred Members to Section 12 of the Taxi Licensing Policy which was adopted by the Committee in July 2013, where it is clear that only 12 month insurance certificates should be accepted, with the exception of a 6 month when a taxi license is first issued and occasionally a temporary cover note. The Officer asked for Members’ permission to enforce the policy as it stood.

The Chair advised that she had asked for this to come to the Committee as there had been issues with this previously, stating that in the policy the Council will only accept 12 month renewals (bar exceptional circumstances as mentioned above). She advised that Officers at the time reassured her that this was not an issue, however it has now come to light again. She reiterated Section 12 of the Policy stating that it is clear that on first application, the insurance should be 6 months/temporary followed by a 12 month policy, then followed by an annual renewal.

She recommended that the Council follow the policy and adhere to the 12 month renewal.

A Member asked whether there was any benefit to the seven day certificate to which the response from the Licensing Team Leader was that some drivers may have monetary issues so they opt for weekly insurance renewals despite it being potentially more costly in the long-term.

The Chair stated that cost should not be priority and that the main concern should focus on the safety of residents.

A Member expressed a concern stating that Taxi Drivers are self employed and by enforcing the policy it may discourage new drivers to join the trade which may lead to a shortage of taxi drivers. He asked whether any leniency could be applied insofar as accepting monthly renewals instead of annual.

The Licensing Team Leader stated that he was mindful of the fact that some drivers may have cash flow issues but did not believe it was appropriate to do so as taxi drivers need to be insured all of the time.

A Member noted that annual policies can be paid in monthly instalments so cash flow should not be a problem.

RESOLVED: That Taxi Drivers must ensure their vehicle is insured for 12 months and renewed annually and that the policy should be enforced in this regard.

All Members in favour bar one against from Cllr G S Atwal.

The Chair advised that she had requested this to come to Committee as she wanted an update as to how Leicestershire County Council was devolving information down to the Districts.

The Licensing Team Leader advised that this is a sensitive subject-matter and that each Council/County has to organise their own way of ensuring the incidents in Rochdale and Rotherham are not repeated.

He advised Members of a meeting to be held in August where he will be able to obtain information concerning a fully coherent and coordinated approach to be undertaken, not only for taxi drivers but licensed premises on the whole. He advised Members that he will report back to the Chair once this meeting had taken place.

He advised that a forum whereby taxi drivers will be made aware of such matters will take place at Oadby and Wigston Borough Council.

The Chair asked for a report to come back to Committee so that all are updated as to the most current position on the same.

A Member advised that other authorities have introduced free courses for taxi drivers which ultimately improves public safety and standards of service. He advised Members that the taxi drivers are obliged to attend such courses.

The Chair asked Officers to look into this.

RESOLVED: That Officers report back to the October Committee meeting with a report on this subject-matter.

The Licensing Team Leader advised Members that he will draft a new policy and have it go to consultation for a period of six weeks. He advised that it will need to be adopted at Full Council in December.

A Member asked whether there had been many legislative changes to which he was advised that the changes have remained static and that the Gambling Commission wanted risk assessments to be carried out on premises. The fact that Oadby has a racecourse was said to be taken into consideration.

It was reported that little has been done since the last meeting and that he would draft a new policy within the coming weeks and report back.

RESOLVED: That a draft statement will go out to consultation over the Summer, with a report to be presented at the October Committee. The finalised statement will then go to Full Council in December to be approved for the next five years.