Agenda item

This report requests that Members approve a revised Licensing Policy for Taxis & Private Hire which includes proposals on Language Proficiency, updates to the frequency of DBS checks of Dual Drivers and reintroducing a condition to promote safeguarding of children.

A repot was submitted requesting Members to approve a revised Licensing Policy for Taxi & Private Hire which includes proposals on Language Proficiency, updates to the frequency of DBS checks of Dual Drivers and reintroducing a condition to promote safeguarding of children.

The Council in its capacity as licensing authority is responsible for the licensing of private hire and hackney carriage drivers and vehicles, and private hire operators. In accordance with best practice Oldham has a single licensing policy which is revised from time to time to include decisions made by the Licensing Committee.

It was reported that The Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards introduced in July 2022 recommend that a licensing authority’s test of a driver’s proficiency should cover both oral and written English language skills. 

The Council already requires applicants to undertake a Driver Awareness Training Session which is immediately followed by their written Knowledge Test. In addition to the existing requirements, it was proposed that a Licensing Officer’s assessment of verbal communication skills be carried out during the first application appointment. Where there appeared to be a significant enough language barrier that an individual cannot hold a  conversation it was proposed the application be refused under delegated powers or an offer to defer the application pending the passing of a suitable language course be given at the cost of the applicant.

The Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards states that all licensed drivers should be required to evidence continuous registration with the DBS update service to enable the licensing authority to routinely check for new information every 6 months. Drivers that do not subscribe to the update service should still be subject to a check every 6 months. Oldham Council have been compliant with the requirement to undertake 6 monthly criminality checks of drivers since late 2022. However,  it was reported that  the existing working practices of the DBS  was causing significant issues for  drivers in relation to updating payments for the service which could result in the  inadvertent lapse of their DBS and having to reapply.  To help resolve this issue, it was proposed that the Council moves to weekly checks of individuals DBS on the update service.  This would enable the Council to become aware more quickly  of convictions and to monitor the update status of drivers and issue timely reminders. Weekly checks of DBS’s would also bring Oldham into line with other Greater Manchester authorities who have already moved to more frequent checks to safeguard the public.

The report also proposed to incorporate a requirement into the licence conditions prohibiting a child from travelling in the front passenger seat of a vehicle.

RESOLVED:

(i)        That approval be given to the introduction of language proficiency standards into the licence application process as detailed in the report but that drivers failing the initial assessment need not take a course which is accredited.

(ii)        That approval be given to moving to weekly checks of drivers DBS status.

(iii)       Approval be given to the inclusion in the Licence Conditions of a condition that the Proprietor shall not allow any child, not accompanied by an adult, under the age of 16 years of age to be conveyed in the front of the vehicle.