Agenda item - Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Driver Enforcement and Monitoring

7.1 Alex Evans introduced the report starting on page 11 of the Agenda.

7.2 Councillor Simson was informed that:

·       How many new licenses/relicenses – Martin Seymour – 60?

·       Collating via a spreadsheet

·       Checking card readers as taxis are licensed

·       Drivers may use this as an easy option to refuse passengers.

·       Is the buildip of taxis on the seafront being monotired? Yes by Sussex Police reporting back through taxi forum.

·       Someone had no DVLA license but was still sent to training – his DVLA license was disqualified, this occurred during lockdown when DVLA were behind, when he did get license back he was sent on taxi driver assessment.

·       How are warnings and trainings logged? Each case looked on own merits – if training is appropriate they are sent on it – other action can be looked at.

·        

7.3 Cllr Davis was informed that the DVLA medical standard is set by the DVLA – usually temporary conditions. Out of town drivers – caution or prosecute. If drivers are caught twice, escalated.

7.4 Cllr Pissaridou was informed that a copy of the DVLA group 2 medical standard is available online. – Martin Seymour to send a link to Cllr Pissaridou

RESOLVED:

1. That Members note the contents of this report and that officers should continue to act as appropriate.

7.1 Alex Evans introduced the report starting on page 11 of the Agenda.

7.2 Councillor Simson was informed that:

·       There have been about 60 new licenses and relicenses since the 1 April 2022.

·       Incidents of refusals to accept cash payments are being recorded in a spreadsheet, and then taxi drivers will be investigated to see when their license was issued, and appropriate action can be taken if neccesary

·       New taxis are being checked to ensure there have card readers.

·       Taxi drivers indicate they only accept cash to refuse drunk or disorderly passengers.

·       The build-up of taxis along the seafront by Burger King and Monarch is being monitored by Sussex Police and Licensing Enforcement Officers, and are reporting back through the Taxi Forum.

·       The driver at the bottom of the chart on page 18 of the Agenda had his Licensing disqualified over lockdown, but didn’t get it back in time due to delays at the DVLA. Once he had his license back he was then was sent for his taxi driver assessment.

·       Warnings for taxi drivers are dealt with on a case by case basis, and if it feels like training is appropriate for it they are sent for training. If the behaviour continues, then other enforcement action is looked at such as suspension or revocation.

·       Instances of street trading enforcement will be brought to the Licensing Committee going forward.

7.3 Cllr Davis was informed that:

·       The DVLA medical standard is set by the DVLA for public service vehicles.

·       Most of the medical standards that stop people driving are temporary medical conditions such as having a stent fitted or fixing their eyesight.

·       For out-of-town drivers that offend, all Brighton and Hove can do is issue a caution or prosecute, but for local drivers, there is more scope for different action such as warnings.

·       If drivers are caught twice in a reasonable amount of time then the issue is escalated.

7.4 Cllr Pissaridou was informed that a copy of the DVLA group 2 medical standard is available online, and that Martin Seymour would send a link.

RESOLVED:

1. That Members noted the contents of this report and that officers should continue to act as appropriate.