Agenda item

Chris Howell, Licensing Manager, presented a report asking Members to:

1. Approve the final draft conditions for Private Hire Driver, Vehicle and Operators attached at Appendices 1, 2 and 3.
2. Note the proposed draft conditions that have been subject to the consultation exercise attached at Appendices 4, 5 and 6.
3. Note the consultation response attached at Appendix 7.

The Licensing Manager pointed out a typographical error on page 203 of the report and confirmed that West Midlands Private Hire Drivers Association had not been invited to respond to the consultation.

He stated that twenty one responses had been received from drivers requesting that they be allowed to work for multiple Private Hire Vehicle Operators and that given the number of requests, this was to be determined by Members of the Non-Statutory Licensing Committee.

Members considered the request and although they acknowledged the importance of worker’s rights, they had great concerns for the impact it could have on public safety. It was noted that drivers could move Operator, giving the prescribed notification.

It was therefore agreed that the current policy should remain unchanged and Private Hire Vehicle Drivers should only work for one operator at a time.

The new conditions would be applicable for licences granted after 1^st February 2020.

Resolved:

That Members of the Non-Statutory Licensing Committee:

1. Approved the final draft conditions for Private Hire Driver, Vehicle and Operators attached at Appendices 1, 2 and 3.
2. Noted the proposed draft conditions that have been subject to the consultation exercise attached at Appendices 4, 5 and 6.
3. Noted the consultation response attached at Appendix 7.