Rotherham Council to regain licensing powers

Communities secretary Sajid Javid wrote to RMBC chief executive Sharon Kemp proposing the handover of responsibilities, including for taxis.

Mary Ney, one of the commissioners brought in by the Government in February 2015, had sent evidence setting out the progress made.

She said: “The council has worked hard to implement a range of improvements to its licensing function and it is now appropriate to consider the return of decision making to the council. 

“Councillors have worked with me in an advisory capacity for over 20 months and have gained considerable experience as the council implemented the new arrangements.

“Public confidence and safety is now at the heart of the council’s licensing service and the new hackney carriage and taxi licensing policy, the benefits of which we know passengers are already experiencing.

“Whilst we understand that the council is still on its improvement journey and we are focused on this and rebuilding trust and confidence in the way services are managed and delivered, this will be another significant step forward in that journey.”

Council leader Cllr Chris Read welcomed the news, saying it was a vote of confidence in the work undertaken over the past 20 months.

The proposal will be discussed by the council before Mr Javid makes the final decision in November.

The commissioners were brought in after the council was deemed unfit for purpose following the CSE scandal.