Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Planning and Public Protection (copy enclosed) presenting an amended Penalty Point Policy and Procedure for approval.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the revised Penalty Point Policy and Procedure as detailed in Appendix A to the report be approved to replace the existing Penalty Point Scheme currently found in the “Blue Book” – the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Conditions, and

(b)       the scheme be implemented from the 1 November 2014, with a grace period of one month before enforcement of the scheme is introduced.

The Licensing Officer (NJ) submitted a report by the Head of Planning and Public Protection (previously circulated) presenting an amended Penalty Point Policy and Procedure for approval.

Members were reminded they had received a revised policy at their last meeting but in light of concerns raised by the taxi trade and low response to consultation it was resolved that a special meeting be convened to consider the policy in detail taking into account the views of the taxi and private hire trade.  A further two week consultation had taken place and officers had subsequently reviewed the policy and made some minor changes to the list of breaches/infringements taking into account the views of licence holders following a recent workshop with members.  Officers were also recommending that the scheme be run over 24 months.

Members acknowledged the significant amount of time taken to review the policy, particularly the allocation of points for particular infringements, and were satisfied that all the issues raised previously had been dealt with.  Consequently it was –

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the revised Penalty Point Policy and Procedure as detailed in Appendix A to the report be approved to replace the existing Penalty Point Scheme currently found in the “Blue Book” – the Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Conditions, and

(b)       the scheme be implemented from the 1 November 2014, with a grace period of one month before enforcement of the scheme is introduced.