Agenda item

The Licensing Officer informed Members that Slough Borough Council currently had 85 licensed private hire operators.  Of those operators, 25 were located outside of the Borough.  Members were reminded that historically, private hire operator licenses had been granted to operators based outside of the Borough of Slough as there was nothing specific within the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 that forbid this.  However, it was noted that the three licence rule was still applicable, in that if the Operator was licensed by Slough Borough Council so must all the drivers and vehicles.

Members were informed that licensing Private Hire Operators who were not located in Slough presented a range of logistical problems.  Enforcement had been and would remain impractical and costly due to the distances Officers would be required to travel to carry out routine inspections of the distant operating bases.  Furthermore, with this logistical problem Officers were unaware if unlicensed drivers and vehicles were being used.  It was also highlighted that some Private Hire Operators had Operator Licenses not only for their physical base in Slough but also with neighbouring authorities for the same premises.  These were referred to as dual operating licences and again had caused officers from both Slough and RBWM considerable problems in ensuring that companies were operating legally.  It was clarified that where an operator was licensed with a district council i.e. Slough Borough Council then the operator must only use drivers and vehicles licensed by Slough Borough Council.  The problems that had been encountered over the last year were that some Operators had failed to comply with the policies and in addition they had not been maintaining separate records for each Operators Licence with regards to taking bookings, licensed drivers, vehicles and call signs and also separate telephone numbers.  This had necessitated officers carrying out regular time consuming inspections to advise and educate some operators to ensure that they are complying with the requirement of the relevant legislation. 

Members were informed that the implementation of this policy for Slough Borough Council would negate this area of possible non-compliance.  It was also brought to Members attention that South Bucks District Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead had recently approved such policies. 

Officers highlighted that a full consultation had been conducted with all Private Hire Operators licensed by Slough Borough Council. A number of responses had been received, many of which objected to the proposed policy. It was explained that the majority of objections had been registered by operators who were small companies or ‘one man bands’.   

In the ensuing discussion, Officers clarified that the physical location of the operating base would be looked at when determining whether or not to licence an operator.  Members agreed that the implementation of such a policy would ensure that all operators were complying with the relevant legislation and result in greater public safety.. 

Recommended to Council -

·  That the Council will not accept any new applications for Private Hire Operator Licences to be based outside the Borough boundaries.

·  That any Private Hire Operator currently licensed by Slough Borough Council based outside the Borough boundary will be given written notice that their operators licence will only continue for maximum period of 12 months from the date of the Council’s decision.

·  That any Private hire Operator currently licensed by Slough Borough Council based outside the Borough boundary may renew their operator’s licence but only for the maximum period of 12 months from the date of the Council’s decision.