Views on taxi regulations sought after CSE scandal

Commissioner Mary Ney, who is responsible for licensing for Rotherham Borough Council, has agreed to a fresh four-week consultation on a revised new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy.

The new policy, which was first consulted on last autumn, was drawn up after the industry came under fire when Prof Alexis Jay said in her report on child sex abuse last year that taxi drivers had been involved in transporting and abusing young victims.

If adopted, the amended policy, which takes into account the 900 views expressed in last year’s public consultation, will apply to both existing and new drivers.

Commissioner Ney said: “Rotherham’s taxi service has got quite a poor reputation because of the links to some members of the trade being arrested and linked to child sexual exploitation.

“The policy seeks to set a standard that is among the highest in the country with the intention of both protecting the public and rebuilding confidence in the taxi trade following the Jay and Casey report.

“The policy will make it extremely difficult for disreputable individuals to operate within the Rotherham licensed trade.”

If adopted the policy includes:

- Drivers having to complete a BTEC Level 2 certificate within 12 months, ensuring they understand a wide range of matters including customer care, disability awareness and adult and child safeguarding.

- Specific child sexual exploitation awareness training.

- A new tougher communication and knowledge test for drivers that will require a Level 3 in English and maths. Applicants who fail three times will be unable to take the test again for 12 months.

- All drivers will subscribe to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), enabling checks on the DBS to be carried out at any time.

- Operators receiving penalty points if they do not take responsibility for drivers and vehicles they employ.

- Applicants who have not been resident in the UK will face additional requirements to evidence their good character in the absence of UK criminal record checks.  

- Would-be drivers with violence or sexual offences convictions will not be considered, but can apply if their conviction was ten years ago or more.

- Licence holders will have to appeal to the Magistrates Court rather than the Licensing Board if they wish to challenge a suspension or revocation of a licence.   

- CCTV systems will be required in all vehicles within 12 months of the policy being adopted.

- Hackney Carriages will be white with a black bonnet and boot, but Private Hire cars will not be allowed to be white.

There are currently 1,200 drivers registered in Rotherham, 80 operators and 800 vehicles.

After the consultation period ends later this month, the final policy will be introduced this summer and the regulations will come into force immediately.

The required maximum vehicle age has been increased from five years to eight years in the revised policy, but they will have to meet the cost of hiring out CCTV at around £1 a day.

Drivers will also have to pay for their vehicle to be resprayed or rewrapped to fit in with a new colour scheme, but the council will pay for safeguarding training.

Asked what would stop drivers registering in Sheffield but operating in Rotherham, the commissioner told the Advertiser that the council wanted to set up agreements with operators in Rotherham so they used Rotherham drivers.

Since February, five drivers have had their licenses revoked and ten applications have been refused.

Commissioner Ney said the consultation form this time round was simpler and more focused.

To comment on the revised policy, visit www.rotherham.gov.uk/consultations before May 29.