Agenda item

The Senior Licensing Officer outlined a report setting out proposed amendments to  the ‘no sexual contact’ condition for Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Drivers. It was highlighted that the current conditions were approved in 2010.

The Committee was reminded that the role of the Licensing Authority was the protection, safety and wellbeing of the public.  Since 2010,  a number of complaints had been made by female passengers to the Licensing Team and to the Police, regarding the receipt of unwarranted verbal sexual advances and inappropriate comments from drivers, made by telephone.  The Officer considered that an amendment to the wording to the condition to prevent this would further protect vulnerable persons, particularly women travelling in licensed Private Hire and Hackney Carriage vehicles.

The current condition stipulated that Licensed drivers may not initiate any dialogue of a sexual nature with a passenger or become involved sexually or have sexual contact, even with consent, with a passenger whilst on duty or in a licensed vehicle.

In light of complaints received it was proposed that the condition be amended to include a reference that there be no contact by telephone, social media or email.  It was highlighted that Licensed drivers were not permitted to become

involved sexually or have sexual contact, even with consent, with a passenger

whilst on duty or in a licensed vehicle.

Legal advice had confirmed that the change to the condition was not deemed to be significant, therefore  consultation was not required.  However all licensed Private Hire and Hackney Carriage drivers were informed of the change in August 2016 as part of a consultation on other matters.

Members asked whether details of the revised condition would be sent to all drivers and the Officer confirmed that this would be included in a newsletter and also within a policy document.  It was also agreed that it could be emailed to Drivers.

The Committee welcomed the revision to the condition.

Resolved-  That the No Sexual Contact condition be amended as follows:

“Licensed drivers shall not initiate, respond to, or engage in any dialogue of a sexual nature with a passenger, including communication by telephone contact, social media, email or any other form of communication.  Licensed drivers are not permitted to become involved sexually or have sexual contact, even with consent, with a passenger whilst on duty or in  a licensed vehicle".