Issue details

a) The Department for Transport (DfT) recommends Licensing Authorities make publicly available a cohesive policy document that brings together all their procedures on taxi and private hire vehicle licensing. This should include but not be limited to policies on convictions, a ‘fit and proper’ person test, licence conditions, and vehicle standards.

b) In July 2020, DfT issued Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards (“the 2020 standards”) which state that Licensing Authorities must use their licensing powers to protect children and vulnerable adults. This Council has already previously implemented a number of the recommendations in its existing policy on its own volition but the 2020 standards provide the opportunity to further tighten the current licensing scheme.

c) This draft policy was commissioned in collaboration with the Public Protection Partnership in West Berkshire and Bracknell Forest Councils. Wokingham Borough Council will be first to introduce a reviewed policy.

d) The Licensing and Appeals Committee is invited to comment on the draft policy following public consultation and consider relevant responses.