Agenda item

To consider the Review of Driver Training Course report.

The Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer presented the late item ‘Review of Driver Training Course’ report, which outlined a request from the trade to defer the requirement for existing licensed hackney carriage & private hire drivers to undergo the mandatory driver training course upon renewal of their licence. He said it was widely recognised that the taxi and private hire trade was one of the many sectors negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and Licensing Officers had been approached by several members of the Uttlesford taxi and private hire trade who were deeply concerned about their ability to fulfil vital contracted services, in particular Home-to-School Transportation. The trade had stressed that the Council’s requirement for their existing licensed drivers to undergo the mandatory training course was exacerbating an already difficult situation. This was primarily due to drivers having to commit a full day to undergo the training course, resulting in a replacement driver having to be sourced to fulfil any booking, at a time when the trade was facing staff shortages.

In response to a question from Councillor Smith, the Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer said the trade had requested this 6 month deferral and would be content with the proposal.

In response to a further question by Councillor Smith, the Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer said he had consulted with the training provider, Green Penny, who did have concerns regarding the deferral.

Councillor Day said safeguarding was the most important role of this Committee and this did represent a risk. However, the pandemic had brought forward unprecedented pressures on the trade and there was also a duty to the parents and children who relied on taxis and private hire cars to travel to school. He would support the deferral of 6 months.

In response to a question from Councillor Lees regarding the logistical arrangements of the training, the Senior Licensing and Compliance Officer said there were many licensed drivers across the country and a half-day training was not feasible due to travel time. Furthermore, he said the policy agreed by the Licensing and Environmental Committee had stipulated that the training had to take place in Uttlesford.

Councillor Caton raised a number of issues faced by the training provider and expressed concern regarding the impact this deferral could have.

The Chair summarised the debate and was mindful of the unintended consequences that a deferral could cause, such as a period of “feast and famine” for the training provider and an impact on safeguarding, as well as the needs of the trade and the children reliant on Home to School Transportation.  

Councillor Day proposed to permit a 6 month deferral for existing licensed hackney carriage & private hire drivers to undergo the mandatory driver training course.

Councillor Lees duly seconded.

RESOLVED to permit a 6 month deferral for existing licensed hackney carriage & private hire drivers to undergo the mandatory driver training course.

Regardless of the decision, the Chair said he strongly encouraged drivers to undergo the training as soon as possible.

Councillor Day said this should not set a precedent and if there was any need for a further deferral, the issue should be brought back to this Committee for discussion.