Agenda item

The Licensing Manager reminded the Committee that the Council, as a licensing authority, had a duty to have in place a policy and guidance when carrying out its functions relating to the suitability of new applicants for and current licence holders of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver and Operator licences. The current approved policy and guidance was approved in 2008.

Members were informed that in April 2018 the Institute of Licensing published Guidance on Suitability of Applicants and Licensees in the Hackney and Private Hire Trade. The guidance had been produced in partnership with the Local Government Association and a wide range of stakeholders and other interested parties. It was recommended that in the absence of any national or statutory guidance, the IoL had produced the document with a recommendation that it was adopted by local authorities nationally. This would ensure in consistency, certainty and confidence in the licensing regime. It was noted that the proposed guidance was not dissimilar to that currently in place by the Council.

Resolved  -

a)  That the new Guidance as attached at Appendix B to the report be adopted.

b)  That the current ‘Policy and Guidance on Convictions and Cautions for Hackney Carriage Drivers, Private Hire Drivers and Private Hire Operators’ to be amended to incorporate the recommended types of offences and time periods in relation to convictions and cautions contained within the Guidance.