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

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,940.09 to £17,208.93
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Dining Room Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £12.65 per hour
Catering Assistant -Transportation Role. Would you like a job with an hourly rate of £12.65? Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Attendance Specialist

Essex County Council
£32768.0000 - £38550.0000 per annum
Senior Attendance SpecialistPermanent, Full Time£32,768 to £38,550 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.85 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a role with great benefits? Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

HR Advisory Team & Policy Lead

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356
Would you like to support the management and development of the HR Advisory team within a large organisation? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner