To consider a report of the Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, for information and recommendation to Council.

The Executive Member for Environmental and Regulatory Servicessubmitted a report which set out the proposed Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards for Taxi and Private Hire.  It represented Stage One of the Standards which relate to Drivers, Operators and Local Authorities.  Stage Two related to Vehicles and these proposals would be reported to the Executive in October.  The current report set out the responses to the recent public and trade consultation for Stage One, and outlined the proposed standards, policies and procedures which would be considered by Council on 13^th October 2021. In discussion there was a very broad welcome for the proposals and the contribution they would make to personal safety in what was an integral part of the region’s transport system. Whilst some disappointment was expressed that it was not possible under existing legislation to restrict the operation of drivers who had been licensed under less stringent regimes, it was noted that the Council would continue to lobby Government on the issue; and also that publicity and awareness of the Greater Manchester scheme would allow customers to make informed choices regarding the operator they selected.

RESOLVED -

(1)       That the feedback be noted from the recent public and trade consultation on the proposed Greater Manchester Minimum Licensing Standards for Taxi and Private Hire.

(2)       That it be recommended to Council that Enhanced Criminal Record checks are undertaken as per Driver Standard 1 in table A of the report.

(3)       That it be recommended to Council that Medical Checks are undertaken as per Driver Standard 2 in table A of the report.

(4)       That it be recommended to Council that assessments of English proficiency are undertaken as per Driver Standard 4 in table A of the report.

(5)       That it be recommended to Council that driver proficiency tests are implemented as per Driver Standard 5 in table A of the report.

(6)       That it be recommended to Council that driver training is undertaken as per Driver Standard 6 in table A of the report.

(7)       That it be recommended to Council that it approves the Licensed Drivers Dress Code, at Appendix 1 to the report.

(8)       That it be recommended to Council that it approves the Private Hire Driver Conditions Policy at Appendix 2 to the report.

(9)       That it be noted that a further report on alcohol and drug testing for taxi drivers will be forthcoming in 2022.

(10)     That it be recommended to Council that it approves the Private Hire Operator Conditions Policy at Appendix 3 to the report and notes the Appendix 4 proposed amendments to Operator Conditions.

(11)     That it be recommended to Council that Enhanced Criminal Record checks for Operators and their staff be undertaken as per Operator Standard 2 in table B of the report.

(12)     That it be recommended to Council to adopt the timescales for applications as per Local Authority Standard 1 in Table C of the report.

(13)     That it be recommended to Council to approve the development of a common enforcement approach as per Local Authority Standard 2 in Table C of the report.

(14)     That it be recommended to Council to agree to adopt a common methodology for setting the costs and calculating the taxi and private hire fees as per Local Authority Standard 3 in Table C of the report.

(15)     That it be recommended to Council to delegate decision making powers as per Local Authority Standard 5 in Table C of the report.

(16)     That it be recommended to Council that the implementation dates, for standards, policies and procedures contained within this report, be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Regulatory Services with consideration of the need to communicate changes to the trade and ensure that processes are in place to ensure the robust implementation of the standards.

(17)     That the Equalities Impact Assessment, as set out at Appendix 8 to the report, be noted.