Taxi Driver Online

New Taxi Licensing Policy approved after Milton Keynes Council taxi scandal



MILTON Keynes Council Cabinet has tonight (Monday) approved a new Taxi Licensing Policy that ‘introduces clearer guidelines’ on who should and shouldn’t be granted taxi or hackney carriage licences - after a convicted rapist was able to get both.

At the meeting a the civic offices, council leader Pete Marland said: “The vast majority of taxi drivers are hard working, good people and we have let them down.

“Taxi licensing in this country is a mess and we will not be waiting for changes nationally.

“We do owe people an apology, including the 1,300 taxi drivers that are good, honest people.

“We have let them down and we have let the public down. It is a job of the local authority to keep people safe and I hope this policy will go toward rebuilding trust.”

The council now believe the policy outlines clearer guidance on convictions when considering applications for persons with criminal records.

The policy now states ‘unless there are exceptional circumstances’ anyone with previous convictions in the 10 years prior to the date of application will not be granted a taxi or hackney carriage licence.

These offences include sexual assault, indecent assault, indecent exposure, arson or violence, robbery, assault, harassment, or any similar offences.

There is now a long list included in the policy of criminal offences that should affect whether a licence is granted or not.

The new policy also highlights the need for consultation with the police.

It states ‘a criminal record should not prevent a person from proceeding with an application but offences will be considered’ and ‘this consideration may include consultation with the police and any other relevat agency where there are relevant convictions’.

Conservative Councillor Catriona Morris, is believed to become the new chair of the regulatory sub committee - who grant licences, to be confirmed at the meeting on Wednesday.

Tonight she said: “I think this policy will need reviewing regularly and I hope if I do become chair of the regulatory sub committee I will do all that I can with members to work to putting the confidence back into the taxi drivers in Milton Keynes and for residents to feel safe.”

The policy will now be subject to regular review and the cabinet agreed that changes will be made as necessary.


Read more: http://www.mkweb.co.uk/New-Taxi-Licensi ... z3CnbKsHsf
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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

So how about a refund of their licence fees ?

All 1,300 taxi drivers in Milton Keynes to undergo fresh checks


More than 1,300 taxi drivers face fresh police checks following the rapist taxi driver scandal.

Milton Keynes Council last night confirmed that every driver in the city will undergo fresh checks.

This follows the revelation that Nadeem Ahmed Kiani had been granted a taxi licence by the council, despite having four convictions for serious sexual offences. He went on to work as a private hire driver, and then a taxi driver, for three years.

Peter Marland, leader of Milton Keynes Council, told Monday’s meeting of the council cabinet that the licensing system across the UK is a “mess”.

He added: “The vast majority of taxi drivers are hard working, good people and we have let them down.

“Taxi licensing in this country is a mess and we will not be waiting for changes nationally.

“We do owe people an apology, including the 1,300 taxi drivers that are good, honest people.

“We have let them down and we have let the public down. It is a job of the local authority to keep people safe and I hope this policy will go toward rebuilding trust.”

Mr Marland said there was no process for removing councillors involved in allowing drivers with convictions to gain licences if they had acted within the law.

http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/crim ... -1-6287551

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

How long will it be before the operators start bellyaching that they can't get drivers anymore?

6 months?

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IDFIMH

Taxpayers will have to pay £66,500 for new DBS checks on taxi drivers in Milton Keynes



MILTON Keynes taxpayers will have to foot a £66,500 bill for all taxi and hackney carriage drivers to have their DBS checks done again.

Milton Keynes Council leader Pete Marland announced last night that after the taxi licensing scandal DPS checks (formerly CRB) will be carried out on all 1,300 drivers in the city.

He said: "Phase one will include DPS checks and a staff level increase with two reinforcement officers.

"Phase two will see the police consulted for all applications and a new taxi forum established.

"Changes to the regulatory sub committee will also be made where there will be a seven day period after each meeting allowing any committee member the time to come forward if they have any concerns about a decision."

The DBS checks will cost £66,500 to be carried out and the council will foot the bill.

The money will therefore come from council budget which comes from taxpayers money.

Also at the cabinet meeting on Monday evening, a new Taxi Licensing Policy was approved that has clearer guidelines on how applications from previously convicted criminals should be considered.


Read more: http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Taxpayers/story- ... z3DDKPNf1x

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

TDO can offer them space on here for their forum.

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IDFIMH

I'm led to believe that taxi drivers and their families are also taxpayers.

Well maybe one or two of them.

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IDFIMH