Pendle News Room

“Anyone who uses taxis in Pendle is being asked to give their views on proposed changes to the Council’s Taxi Licensing Policy,” he explained.

And taxi drivers and taxi operators in Pendle have also been contacted to comment on proposals to introduce new measures to make travelling in taxis safer for all.

“Pendle Council adopted revised Taxi Licensing policies in 2016 and it’s good practice to review these every five years,” added Councillor Ahmed.

The new proposals have also been updated in the light of the Department of Transport’s vehicle standards which were published in July 2020 to protect children and adults.

Councillor Kieran McGladdery, chair of Pendle Council’s Taxis Licensing Committee said:

“We have good measures in place, but it’s time to review and improve them.

“In line with Government recommendations, we are seeking the views of passengers and the taxi trade on whether CCTV cameras should be installed in vehicles.

The revised proposals can be seen on Pendle Council’s website: www.pendle.gov.uk/taxi and people have until 5pm on Friday 3 December to comment on them.

“If you use hackney carriages or private hire taxis, work in the taxi trade or are involved in the industry in any way, tell us what you think about the proposed Taxi Licensing Policy,” he said.

Give your views by emailing: taxi.licensing@pendle.gov.uk

Safety proposals which are being put forward include:

· Increasing the frequency of DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) criminal record checks from every 12 months to every six months

· Taxi licence holders informing Pendle Council of any arrest, release or charge in relation to motoring offences, sexual offences, violence or dishonesty - within 48 hours

· Putting stickers in all taxis so that passengers can more easily flag up concerns or complaints to Pendle Council

· A new Fit and Proper Test for new drivers where there is concern over whether or not a taxi licence should be issued to them

· A new oral and written language proficiency test to make sure drivers can communicate with passengers in English and be able to read and understand written documents

· Annual criminality checks for private hire vehicle operators, taxi vehicle owners and for directors or partners in taxi companies. Currently private hire operators have a DBS check every three years.

· Providing a Certificate of Good Character where an applicant for a taxi vehicle licence has had time away from the UK.

This certificate from the country they have been living in will help Pendle Council assess if they should be allowed to hold a licence.

· Taxi operators keeping a register of all staff that who take bookings or dispatch vehicles.

The proposals will be discussed at the Taxi Licensing Committee on 18 November 2021.

Comments from taxi users, drivers and operators will be fed back to Pendle Council’s Policy and Resources Committee for a final decision on adopting new measures into the Taxi Licensing Policy.