Laura Sharman 23 June 2016

Council accepts report into taxi licensing failures

South Ribble Council had failed to make the safety of taxi passengers a priority when issuing licenses, a report has concluded.

Last summer, officers and members of the council expressed concerns over certain taxi drivers having their licenses renewed despite being involved in potential incidents of child sexual exploitation.

The council commissioned an independent external review into the service, which found there had been a ‘lack of awareness and priority given to safeguarding and the safety of taxi passengers’.

The report did praise the council for being ‘active at every stage’ of the review, and it has already accepted all the recommendations made. These include improving taxi licensing administrative arrangements, complaint investigatory procedures and safeguarding awareness.

Leader of the council, cllr Margaret Smith said: ‘The council welcomes this independent report today. We fully accept its recommendations and are on course to implement them all.’

She added: ‘This council operates in an open and transparent way. That is why, as soon as concerns were raised about our Licensing Service, we acted swiftly and commissioned this external report by an independent firm of solicitors.

‘However, we didn’t sit back and wait for the outcome of that review. Over the last six months the council has been active in responding to any concerns. We made improvements as soon as the issues were raised, and as a result the final report has not seen the need for any further recommendations.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner