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Out-of-area taxi and private hire drivers took almost half of Milton Keynes enforcement time, council says
Milton Keynes City Council has backed Liberal Democrat proposals calling on the Government to give councils more control over taxi and private hire vehicles that regularly operate in their areas.
The proposals follow 89 complaints received by the council last year about drivers and vehicles licensed by other authorities. Council officers also carried out 2,132 checks, with almost half of their enforcement time spent checking vehicles licensed elsewhere.
Milton Keynes-licensed drivers must complete training covering safeguarding, equality and domestic abuse awareness, as well as White Ribbon training. Requirements vary between licensing authorities, meaning drivers licensed elsewhere may be subject to different standards.
The council can check vehicles licensed by other authorities and prosecute certain offences, but it cannot suspend or revoke a licence issued elsewhere. Concerns that could lead to action against a driver’s licence must be referred to the authority that issued it.
A case at Milton Keynes Central Station illustrated the limits of those powers. During a routine check, a private hire driver licensed by Luton Borough Council refused to provide his badge details and drove away.
Milton Keynes City Council successfully prosecuted the driver for obstructing an authorised officer. He was ordered to pay £1,596, but any decision to suspend or revoke his licence remained with Luton Borough Council.
The proposals call for councils to have greater control over vehicles regularly working in their areas, closer links between licences and where drivers mainly work or live, and more consistent safety standards. They also seek stronger enforcement powers for councils and future strategic authorities, with the authority issuing a licence responsible for enforcement costs.
The proposals were put forward by Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Crooks, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, and seconded by Council Leader Councillor Jane Carr. They received unanimous support across the council earlier this autumn.
Under the proposals, passengers would still be able to travel across council boundaries as they do now. The suggested changes would instead focus on the oversight of drivers who regularly work in an area but hold a licence from another authority.
Councillor Sam Crooks, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, said:
“Whether you’re getting home after a night out or travelling to work, you should be able to trust that every driver working in Milton Keynes meets the same high safety standards.
“Our officers work hard to protect passengers, but the current system limits the action they can take against drivers licensed elsewhere.
“The case at the train station shows exactly why change is needed. We want consistent safety standards and stronger local powers so residents’ concerns can be dealt with.
“Passengers would still be able to travel across council boundaries. These changes would create a fairer system that protects passengers, supports responsible drivers and gives taxpayers better value for money.”
