Issue - meetings

These are the first Draft Taxi and Private Hire Policies for BCP Council since the establishment, on the 1^st April 2019 of a single local government area for the now dissolved boroughs of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The Licensing Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee was advised that these were the first draft hackney carriage and private hire policies for BCP Council since the establishment, on the 1 April 2019 of a single local government area for the now dissolved boroughs of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. For ease of reference the overall policy had been split into three documents covering the Drivers Policy, Vehicle Policy and Operators Policy, circulated as appendices to the report. Each policy was intended to apply to all drivers, vehicles and operators in each of the three current controlled zones.

The Licensing Manager explained that the draft policies had been developed with the support of a Member Working Group appointed by the Licensing Committee, comprising Councillors Butt, Farquhar, Flagg, Johnson and Kelsey. The Committee was grateful to the Working Group and supporting officers for their input. Workshops had also taken place with representatives of the taxi trade for the BCP Council area and their input included in the draft policies. The Committee was asked to consider the draft policies, amend them as necessary and agree them for public consultation.

The Chairman explained the process for considering each policy in turn and asked the Committee to focus on the main issues for discussion and decision. Any typographical points would be addressed by officers prior to the documents being released for public consultation.

Draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Policy (Appendix 1):

The Committee discussed the policy and agreed the following actions:

Section 14 Driver Dress Code:

·       14.9 Amend to read ‘Headwear such a baseball caps is not permitted except in religious or medical circumstances’, as the Committee was mindful that there were certain circumstances where an exception should apply. The Committee asked that its suggested additional wording in italics be agreed in consultation with Council’s Equality and Diversity Officer.

Appendix A - How to Apply:

·       DBS Online Application Instructions: The Committee asked the Licensing Manager to report back to its December meeting to confirm that the application process on the BCP Council website requires the completion of Yes/No field and the completion of a declaration which includes reference to it being a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968 to gain financially by deception.

·       Application Process: Agree to amend to BCP as indicated

·       Knowledge Test: Agree to additions as indicated

·       Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking Awareness Training: Agree that training should be delivered in person at the point of application and renewal for all drivers, to ensure training is robust and up to date. The Committee discussed options for how the training should be delivered and agreed to refer this matter to the Children’s Services O&S Committee for input, with a report back in time for the December Licensing Committee

·       Data Matching:  Agree to include NAFA data statement as well

Appendix B – Conditions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9