Issue - meetings

The Committee gave consideration to a report on the activity and key priorities and projects within the Council’s Licensing Function. 

Members were informed of the Clean Air Conversation.  A range of measures had been shortlisted which would have an impact on the taxi and private hire trades.  No final decision had been taken on measures to be included in the GM Clean Air Plan.  Work was ongoing to support the Clean Air Project on the GM Licensing Network who were working on the GM Minimum Standards proposals.  The project would not involve private cars but would affect commercial vehicles such as taxis and private hire vehicles.  A range of measures was being investigated.  A bid was being prepared to support the private hire trade in Greater Manchester in changing and upgrading vehicles.  Proposals would be made on common licensing conditions, standards for vehicles and criteria for licence holders to be agreed by all Greater Manchester authorities.

Members sought and received clarification on the implementation time and age of vehicles. 

Members were also informed about Greater Manchester Minimum Standards which included a consultation on GM minimum licensing standards for the taxi and private hire trade. 

Members were also provided an update on the vehicle testing results, panel hearings, animal licensing and the Licensing Register.  The National Licensing Register was currently a voluntary scheme, but it was proposed to make the register mandatory in order to review all revocations.  There were also two other issues related to a national register of vehicles linked to clean air charging zones and ensuring drivers were registered to pay tax.

Members sought and received clarification on the reasons for vehicle failures and when licences would be suspended due to the type of fault.  Members sought and received clarification on tyre failure and informed that Licensing standards were more robust than the legal minimum. 

Members queried if licence holders who had repeated failures were being referred to Panel.  Members were informed that cases had been referred to Panel where there had been serious non-compliance and serial offenders. 

RESOLVED that the Licensing Update and the comments provided be noted.