Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Fonseca, Shelton and Westley.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business on the agenda.

Members were asked to disclose any interests they might have on the business to be discussed.

There were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2021 are attached and the Committee will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2021 be approved as a correct record.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any petitions submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no petitions had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no questions, representations and statements of case had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Strategic Director, City Development and Neighbourhoods submits a report for approval to the Committee on the Knowledge Test used for drivers to demonstrate appropriate knowledge of Leicester and general taxi legislation.

The Licensing and Public Safety Committee is asked to consider the options in section 5 of the report and decide which to adopt.

The Strategic Director, City Development and Neighbourhoods submitted a report for approval to the Committee on the Knowledge Test used for drivers to demonstrate appropriate knowledge of Leicester and general taxi legislation.

The Licensing and Public Safety Committee were asked to consider the options in Section 5 of the report and decide which to adopt.

Rachel Hall, Chief Licensing Officer presented the report. It was noted that every licensing authority sets its own bar for determining whether an applicant was a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s Licence, with part of the process in Leicester requiring applicants to pass a knowledge test to demonstrate appropriate knowledge of the city and general taxi legislation. It was reported the current driver paper-based knowledge test was considered to be antiquated, and a computer based technological solution had been sought without success.

The Officer felt that taxi drivers should be ambassadors for the city for visitors and wanted them to have some knowledge of Leicester. Each of the options were then presented to the Committee in detail including advantages and disadvantages for each one.

Members were then given the opportunity to comment and ask questions, as follows:

·         It was asked for clarity that if drivers with Wolverhampton plates could operate in Leicester. It was acknowledged that deregulation meant a private hire company could transfer bookings to operators in other cities, with so called ‘satellite operator’s licences. It was noted that the scale of the problem was big, and through research it had been established that for every two drivers with a Leicester or Leicestershire licence, there was a third driver with a Wolverhampton plate.

·         Members asked if Wolverhampton undertook knowledge tests but it was reported it was not a requirement in that authority. It was noted that their fees were cheap through economies of scale, and they currently had over 18,000 licensed drivers.

·         Drivers believed they could be licensed more quickly and easily in Wolverhampton.

·         Drivers in Leicester had to supply a full, detailed medical check completed by the applicant’s own GP or a doctor with access to the applicant’s medical records. It was understood that Wolverhampton simply require a doctor to state the person met the required standard.

·         Members did not want an online assessment as it would not be known if the person applying would be completing the test or if they were assisted.

·         Combining the existing practical and theory tests would reduce waiting times for applicants as currently staff could only test four people at a time, and it would reduce no-show bookings. It was explained that an external provider was likely to be more flexible in response to fluctuating demand.

·         Wolverhampton had previously indicated that they send an enforcement officer to Leicester once a month.

·         Members stated support for the combined test and having drivers licensed by Leicester was preferable.

The Chair was uncertain about outsourcing the knowledge test and combining it with the existing practical assessment. He asked how the examiners  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

There being no other items of urgent business, the meeting closed at 6.32pm.