Agenda and minutes

Chris Ward, Licensing Manager welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The notes of the last meeting held on 13 December 2022 were noted and agreed.

CCTV Policy – Consultation

Chris Ward explained that as there had only been twelve responses to the consultation on CCTV policy, the Council had commenced a second consultation.

A report would then be submitted to the Committee and then to a meeting of Full Council for decision later in the year.

As regards the proposals for CCTV, Chris identified some of the features and associated issues which were:

-GDPR compliance (for recording - the footage can only be requested by authorised person e.g. police).

-A panic button would enable the CCTV within the vehicle (it cannot record continuously).

-One designated laptop for CCTV access software

-CCTV recording to kept for 30 days only – after that it records over the footage

Comments from the trade representatives present were positive about the proposals to allow CCTV in vehicles.

Chris Ward explained that the mandatory CSE training held at the Civic Centre was to provide an update on knowledge and sits within a context of improved risk awareness and issues surrounding county lines. The training was approximately one and a half hour and there were several sessions available.

Chris Ward informed the Forum of the advantages of the new online “Taxi Plus” system to process DBS applications:

-       Can be done at home

-       Can be done on a computer at the Civic Centre - no need for an appointment with Gateway staff  

-       £2 cheaper for drivers – cost reduced from £60 to £58

A question was asked about the best time of year to submit a DBS application. This would depend on the time of year and how many police authorities the applicant had lived under in the last 5 years.

Chris indicated that test links were available if anyone would like to try a demo.

Chris Ward reported that he was looking to provide an in-house course once a month.

Chris Ward referred to the proposed introduction of a policy where successful applicants are allowed a three month grace period to work pending obtaining an NVQ qualification (subject to DBS check and other requirements being satisfactory). He said there would need to be a consultation and then a report to the Committee and Full Council later in the year.

Wolverhampton Council licensed taxis

Ged Byrne raised the issue of a lot of licensed vehicles from Wolverhampton Council in the area.

Chris Ward indicated that it was a national issue where Wolverhampton has licensed around 12,500 vehicles, many of them UBER vehicles, than can legally trade outside their licensing authority area with no requirement to travel back to Wolverhampton after the booking has finished.

The issue is a UK wide concern and local authorities have being lobbying the Department for Transport.

Clean Air Zones

Clean Air Zones will be beneficial as it will reduce the number of older vehicles on the roads.

Unmet Demand Survey

This has recently been commissioned. The Council will be looking at the rank outside the Line Bar and enquiries have been made with the Planning Manager as to the possibility of using Leyland Town Deal money.

Tuesday, 27 June 2023 at 6.00pm in the Civic Centre, Leyland.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 4 July 2023 at 6.00pm.