Agenda item

The Service Director Legal Services will submit a report informing Members of the ongoing project work to digitalise the way the Licensing Service operates.

The Service Director Legal Services submitted a report informing the Committee of the ongoing project work being undertaken in order to digitalise the way that the Licensing Services operates.

Members were reminded of the Digitalisation report presented to the General Licensing Regulatory Board in October 2019, informing them of the plans to digitalise the Licensing function due to the current process and procedure being predominantly paper based and labour intensive for Licensing Officers and a summary of the type of work undertaken was provided. 

Within the context of Future Council and Digital First the current method in providing the licensing service could no longer be justified, therefore the Digitalisation project would convert existing manual laborious operations (so far as was feasible) into digital operations.

Members were informed that representatives from the Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Trade had attended meetings in which they shared their views, opinions and concerns with regards to a digitalised service.

It was reported that Licensing Officers had worked closely with IT Services in designing the online forms and procedures by taking into consideration the comments shared by the licensed Trade and incorporating receipt of payments, a booking system for the knowledge test and receipt and issue of new and renewed existing licenses and associated documentation.

In the ensuing discussion, the following matters were highlighted:

·         The current practice of face to face questions would now be done digitally through the system which had been meticulously tested by Licensing Officers.  Any concerns regarding appropriate checks being made were allayed as drivers would be asked to upload appropriate documentation including DBS checks.

·         80% of the Trade were on board with the new system and welcomed the flexibility for drivers with the system being available 24hours a day and not restricted to office hours. 

·         Workshops were being held for some drivers who were apprehensive and fearful of the new technology and did not have the means of getting online.  It was reported that a small group of drivers who may struggle would be invited to test the new system to alleviate any issues and fears they may have. 

·         The online system will work on all devices ie tablets or phones but if drivers require assistance then they would be signposted to Libraries or some Trade representatives who have volunteered to help.

RESOLVED that Members support the Licensing Team and the Licensed Trades with the digitalisation project to ensure the success of the project from it going live on 2^nd April, 2020.