Agenda item

6.1

The Chief Licensing Officer submitted a report outlining the enforcement activity undertaken in relation to private hire and taxi licensing for the period 1^st April to 30^th September 2013. 

6.2

In attendance were Clive Stephenson, Principal Licensing Officer, Hafeas Rehman, Sheffield Taxi Trades Association (STTA), and Mohammed Yasim, GMB.

6.3

Mohammed Yasim stated that both drivers and officers should be commended on the figures regarding vehicle enforcement, driver checks and referrals to the Licensing Sub-Committee.  He stated that the majority of problems at the present time were caused by drivers from other areas plying for hire in the City and drivers illegally plying for hire, and that there was a need for urgent action against such drivers. 

6.4

Hafeas Rehman welcomed the report, but expressed concern at the fact that there was no reference to operators.  He reiterated Mr Yasim’s views in that officers should be focussing their enforcement activity on drivers, often those from other areas, illegally plying for hire in the City.  He also expressed his concern at any possible reduction in service following the planned restructuring of the Licensing Section, indicating that drivers deserved a better service and wanted to see a better standard of enforcement.  He concluded by stating that action was required to resolve the issues at Owlerton Stadium and Napoleon’s Casino, Penistone Road. 

6.5

In response to questions from Members of the Committee, Clive Stephenson stated that arrangements had been put in place in terms of enforcement action again operators, details of which would be included in the next enforcement report.  The reason for the increase in the number of checks made by officers in August 2013, was that officers were accompanied by the Police, who were able to stop drivers.  Particular efforts were made to stop private hire drivers when officers were accompanied by the Police.  Although officers were aware of the problems caused by unlicensed drivers from other areas coming into the City and illegally plying for hire, it was very difficult for them to take any action as, even if they had the relevant contact details, there was no requirement on the drivers to respond or provide any information.  It was also very difficult to obtain any job records or other details from their respective operators, therefore officers could not obtain the relevant evidence they required to hand to the Police. 

6.6

RESOLVED: That the public and press and attendees be excluded from the meeting before further discussion takes place on the grounds that, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, if those persons were present, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

6.7

The Solicitor to the Committee reported orally, giving legal advice on various aspects of the report.

6.8

At this stage in the proceedings, the meeting was re-opened to the public and press and attendees.

6.9

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       notes the contents of the report now submitted, the representations now made and the responses to the questions raised;

(b)       welcomes the report and expresses its thanks to (i) the officers in the Taxi Licensing Section for the excellent work undertaken by them in terms of enforcement and (ii) the drivers in connection with the comparatively low figures regarding defect notices, warning letters and referrals; and

(c)        requests:-

(i)        the Chief Licensing Officer to submit a total of four update reports on enforcement activity per annum to future meetings, comprising three quarterly reports and one annual report, with (A) both the quarterly reports and the annual report containing comparative figures for the two previous quarterly period or years, respectively, and (B) details in terms of an explanation, being included in the report where any figures vary from the norm; and

(ii)     that, regardless of any changes following the planned restructuring of the Licensing Service, officers be required to undertake enforcement activity a minimum of 40 weeks per annum.