Agenda item

The Service Director Culture, Housing and Regulation will submit a report providing an overview of the work Licensing Enforcement Officers have undertaken to date, including the outcome of recent taxi licensing enforcement operations.

The Service Director Culture, Housing and Regulation submitted a report providing an overview of the work of Licensing Enforcement Officers undertaken recently.

Licensing Enforcement Officers had proactively embarked on a number of taxi licensing enforcement operations as follows:

(a)  5^th July, 2017 – a day time operation involving Licensing Enforcement Officers and Vehicle Examiners from the Smithies Lane Depot focusing on Springwell School.  In addition, the Chair of the Licensing Regulatory Board, Councillor C Wraith MBE, was also in attendance.

·         Of the 38 vehicles inspected, 33 were found to be compliant and 5 were issued with immediate suspension notices for a variety of reasons including tyres and brake, side and number plate lights

·         Some vehicles were given advice in relation to cleanliness, dim side light, bulb positioned the wrong way, plates being ineffectively adhered to vehicles and tyres being close to the limit

·         During the same inspection, one driver was also issued with a Written Warning for falsifying the required daily check sheet

(b)  15^th September, 2017 – a morning operation involving Licensing Enforcement Officers and Vehicle Examiners from the Smithies Lane Depot focusing on smaller operators at the operating premises.  Due to the nature of the inspections it was reported that only a small number of vehicles were available for inspection.

·         Of the 8 vehicles inspected, 4 were issued with immediate suspension notices for a variety of reasons including lights, tyres and an inoperative wing mirror repeater

·         Advice was given in relation to trip hazards

·         One driver was issued with a Written Warning for failing to complete the daily vehicle inspection book.

Vehicle compliance continued to be an issue at the forefront of every enforcement operation and with every Vehicle Examiner whilst undertaking vehicle inspections.  It was pleasing to note, however, that vehicle compliance was continuing to improve and was a testament to the hard work of the staff involved with enforcement.  Vehicle failure rates were still at an unacceptable level and it was important that operators, vehicle proprietors and drivers accepted responsibility for their failures and made a change as to not do so could potentially put the safety of the travelling public at risk.

Proactive enforcement operations would continue to be undertaken on a quarterly basis and officers were in the process of arranging enforcement operations with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, South Yorkshire Police and Customs and Excise.

The report then gave a brief overview of current enforcement activities being undertaken in relation to the Licensing Act 2003 and particular mention was made to the following:

·         ARGUS anti-terrorism training at which there had been 34 attendees

·         The Reduce the Strength Initiative – aimed at reducing the strength of alcohol on sale

·         The Best Bar None Scheme.  The scheme was being launched on the 14^th November and all Members were invited to attend

·         Immigration checks in licensed premises – which resulted in one arrest being made

It was noted that whilst these issues fell within the remit of the Statutory Licensing Regulatory Board it was felt important that Members of the Licensing Regulatory Board be given a brief update.  The Chair stated that if Members wished to ask detailed questions or wished to receive a full update on issues, a special meeting of the Statutory Licensing Regulatory Board could be arranged.

In the ensuing discussion, and in response to questioning, particular reference was made to the following:

·         The Chair stressed that whilst the failure rate was unacceptable, it was, nevertheless, pleasing to note that the number of serious vehicle failures had significantly reduced

·         In response to detailed questioning, the Licensing Enforcement Officer briefly outlined the way in which vehicle inspections were undertaken and the elements included within those inspections.  Arising out of this reference was made to the role of the Smithies Lane Depot in relation to Council vehicles and to the role of VOSA

·         It was reported that all allegations in relation to unlicensed drivers were investigated and arising out of this there was a discussion of the role of Social Media in this respect

·         There was a discussion of the perceived increase in the number of ‘cross border’ drivers.  It was noted that the excellent relationship with Operators meant that the Licensing Service were generally informed of and made aware of such drivers so that appropriate checks could be made

·         Reference was made to the relationship the Licensing Service had with neighbouring authorities and with the South Yorkshire Police which and to the liaison arrangements in place for the sharing of information in relation to drivers and taxi licensing issues

RESOLVED:

(i)            That a special meeting of the Statutory Licensing Regulatory Board be arranged on a date agreed by the Chair in consultation with the Executive Director Core Services to receive an update on Licensing Enforcement activities; and

(ii)           that the Board place on record their thanks and appreciation to the staff within the Licensing Service and Smithies Depot for all their hard work in undertaking enforcement activities and ensuring the continued safety of the travelling public and for the outstanding results currently being achieved.