Connect to us on social media and join in the conversation
Agenda and minutes
Click the following link to see our available webcasts.
Venue: Council Chamber, Penallta House, Tredomen, Ystrad Mynach. View directions
Contact: Rebecca Barrett
No. | Item |
---|---|
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Minutes: Apologies for absence were
received from Councillors D. Cushing, Mrs D. Price and J. Simmonds
(Vice-Chair). |
|
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Minutes: There were no declarations of
interest received at the commencement or during the course of the meeting. |
|
Minutes: The Licensing Manager presented the report,
which set out proposals to amend the process for checking DVLA driving licence
information and the associated condition of licence for Hackney Carriage /
Private Hire Vehicle Drivers. Members were advised of the current process
where the Authority carries out online checking of existing licensed drivers
and new applicants’ licences via the Driver Licence Check (DLC) service, in
order to ensure suitability to hold Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Vehicle
Driver’s licences in line with current policies and requirements. However, it was explained that due to the
withdrawal of the DLC system by the DVLA (effective 1st December 2018), an
alternative method of verifying suitability and driving fitness was needed. The Licensing Manager explained that some
local authorities have entered into agreements with a third party provider,
which require similar mandates to that of the DLC being signed and costs passed
on to applicants. As a result of exploration
by the Council to seek an alternative cost-free solution, the report proposed
that future checks be made using the free online ‘View or share your driving
licence information’ service which can be accessed via the GOV.UK
website. This means that from December
2018 new and existing applicants would be required to share a one off generated
code for the Licensing Authority to check their driver status without
charge. The code can be generated by
applicants ahead of their appointment or during the actual appointment to apply
for or renew a vehicle driver licence.
Officers will be able to offer this IT assistance to prospective
applicants or existing drivers if needed. It was noted that
a letter had been sent to the taxi trade informing them of the reason for the
change and inviting any comments on the proposal. In general, the trade were receptive to the
proposal due to the lack of cost being incurred by its applicants/drivers, and
therefore no adverse comments had been received in this regard. The Committee were
advised that should they be minded to agree to the proposal, then the Hackney
Carriage / Private Hire Vehicle Driver’s conditions of licence and Policy would
need to be amended to reflect the change, namely in respect of Condition
3. The extract from the Policy showing
the existing condition, together with the proposed revised Condition 3, was set
out at Appendix A of the report. During the course of the ensuing
debate, Officers provided clarification on the use of the GOV.UK free on-line
checking system and gave assurances as to the uniqueness, security, and ease of
use of the system. A Member asked why
the Council were withdrawing the £5.00 charge previously levied to applicants
when completing the DLC mandate, and expressed a need to maintain this revenue
stream given the level of budget savings required by the Authority. Officers explained that this nominal charge
is being withdrawn as the new system is a free national service, which
eliminates the administration costs encountered by the Licensing Section under
the DLC system. A Member ... view the full minutes text for item 3. |