Decision details

The current Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy was most recently amended in April 2022 to incorporate amendments following the publication of the National Statutory Standards by the Department of Transport (July 2020).
The Council has been asked by the Sandwell Private Hire Drivers Association to consider potential changes to the current Sandwell’s Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing policy (April 2022).
Licensing Committee have considered the requests for amendments on 16 August 2022 and support the recommended amendments.
Legal have confirmed that the changes are considered to be minor and administrative amendments to the policy which under the delegated authority from Cabinet (Decision Reference 54/17) can be authorised by the Director of Borough Economy in consultation with the Cabinet Member.
The policy amendments have been considered whilst keeping in view and safeguarding the safety of taxi and private hire passengers.
As minor and administrative amendments it is considered there is no requirement to undertake wider consultation.

That amendments are made to the SMBC Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy (April 2022) to enable:-
• Group 2 medicals for taxi and private hire drivers and applicants to be undertaken by a GMC registered GP/medical practitioner, with confirmation that medical records for the last two years have been seen.
• the use of Council approved garages for licensed vehicle tests and inspection following completion of a compliant procurement process to identify a fixed number of approved garages.

To enable the minor and administrative amendments to be made to the SMBC Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy (April 2022). The recommended amendments have been considered by Licensing Committee on 16 August 2022 and support the amendments.

The recommended amendments to the Sandwell’s Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing policy (April 2022) could be declined.