Consultation on Policies and Procedures in Relation to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles, Drivers and Operators

The Council is in the process of reviewing its policies and procedures in relation to the licensing of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, drivers and operators.

The Council recognises the need for safe, healthy, convenient, effective and sustainable hackney carriage and private hire services for the travelling public and how they make an important contribution to the local economy and good of the Borough. Drivers of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles are professional drivers and the standards that they operate to should reflect this and ensure public safety.

Through this consultation we would wish to seek the views of all interested stakeholders; persons working in the hackney carriage and private hire trade, the general public who use this form of transport, disabled users, anyone else affected by or with an interest in the issues in this consultation.

We invite comments on any aspect of the policies listed and more in particular the following matters that the Council are considering including within the policy documents.

i)         Age and emissions

ii)        Vehicle appearance

iii)       Wheelchair accessible vehicles

iv)       Mandatory use of CCTV

v)        A requirement that drivers to subscribe to the DBS update service

vi)       Pre-requisite Basic Skills Test and mandatory training for renewal applications

vii)      Proprietors of Vehicles to maintain an accurate record of their use of that vehicle in order to assist in the determination of whether that vehicle is predominantly being used in the Borough of Rossendale.

viii)     Suitability of fitness and propriety of Hackney Carriage proprietors

iix)        Tinted windows

x)        Fees xi)       Introduction of locality knowledge test for driver’s licences

xii)      Private Hire trade policy

xiii)      Review of Guidelines to Convictions xiv)     Code of Good Conduct xv)     Tariff Card xvi)     Alternative option in addition to DSA test

Relevant Council Policies

Policy for the Licensing of: Hackney Carriage Drivers and Vehicles, Private Hire Operators, Drivers and Vehicles

Hackney Carriage Intended Use Policy

Policy Statement – Guideline to Convictions

Further information relating to the matters above can be found on the following link to the Licensing Committee reports and minutes held 12th July 2016 http://www.rossendale.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/988/licensing_committee

Comments can be made in writing or using the questionnaire form below, addressed to Legal Services Manager, Rossendale Borough Council, The Business Centre, Futures Park, Bacup OL13 0BB or email: licensing@rossendalebc.gov.uk

All comments must be received by no later than Friday 16th September 2016.

Thanks for your interest in this consultation.

Further information

• Rossendale Taxi Procedure Update