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Delegated Officer Decision Making in Respect of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Taxi Policy and to Update the Council Constitution Accordingly

31/10/2016 - Delegated Officer Decision Making in Respect of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Taxi Policy and to Update the Council Constitution Accordingly

The Committee received a report from the Licensing & Enforcement Manager regarding delegated officer decision making in respect of the Taxi Policy and update of the Council’s Constitution.

 

The Committee then debated the Officer’s report.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Licensing & Enforcement Manager said the following:

     i.        Should an error be made, the decision could be reviewed and or taken to a Sub-Committee for a final decision.

    ii.        Confirmed that enforcement issues would always be referred to a Sub-Committee for decision.

   iii.        Delegated decisions would only apply to clear cut issues such as: a driver failing a medical examination or the age of the vehicle.

  iv.        Any issues where there was room for discretion, such as exceptional circumstances, would be referred to a Sub-Committee.

 

The Committee:

 

Resolved (unanimously)

 

     i.        Approved the delegated decision making process in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy as outlined in the table below. 

         

Current

 

Proposed

 

 

The Council has delegated the following powers to the Head of Service:

 

i) Hackney Carriages, private hire vehicles and trishaws except: the suspension of a driver’s or a vehicle licence, unless the driver or proprietor of the vehicle, as appropriate, is informed of the right to appeal to the Licensing Sub-Committee within 14 days and in the event of such an appeal, the matter shall be heard within 7 days of receipt of the appeal.

 

The Council has delegated to the Licensing Committee, who subsequently delegated to the Licensing Sub-Committee, the following powers relating to the licensing of Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles, the drivers of Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles, and the Operators of Private Hire Vehicles:

 

i)              To grant an application for a Licence

ii)             To attach conditions to a Licence

iii)            To refuse an application for the grant of a Licence iv) To refuse to renew an existing Licence

iv)           To suspend a Licence

v)            To revoke a Licence

 

The Council has delegated its Licensing function to the Licensing Committee and further delegated authority to the Licensing Sub Committee and to Officers of the Council who will determine applications and licensing decisions in accordance with the Policy.

 

Any decision to refuse to grant, refuse to renew or suspend an application or any decision relating to the policy will be determined by Officers through the scheme of delegation.  The applicant will have the right of appeal to the Magistrates Court.

 

All decisions regarding breaches of the Enforcement Management System will be determined by the Licensing Sub Committee with a right of appeal to the Magistrates Court.

 

    ii.        Amended the constitution as outlined in the table below: 

 

 

Current

Proposed Amendment

The Council has delegated the following powers to the Head of Service:

 

i) Hackney Carriages, private hire vehicles and trishaws except: the suspension of a driver’s or a vehicle licence, unless the driver or proprietor of the vehicle, as appropriate, is informed of the right to appeal to the Licensing Sub-Committee within 14 days and in the event of such an appeal, the matter shall be heard within 7 days of receipt of the appeal.

 

The Council has delegated the following powers to the Head of Service:

 

i)    Hackney Carriages, private hire vehicles and trishaws

 

Except for all decisions regarding breaches of the Enforcement Management System will be determined by the Licensing Sub Committee with a right of appeal to the Magistrates Court.