This week, Wyre Council held a meeting of the Licensing Committee on Tuesday 25 June 2024. The Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Economic Prosperity Board meeting scheduled for Thursday 27 June 2024 was postponed.

Licensing Committee Meeting

The Licensing Committee convened to review two applications for the renewal of dual driver's licences. Both applications were refused, citing non-compliance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976¹.

First Application: Caution for Common Assault

The first renewal application was denied because the applicant had recently received a caution for common assault. The committee referred to Wyre Council's policy on convictions², which treats cautions as equivalent to convictions. According to the policy:

The starting point is that a licence will not be granted until at least ten years have elapsed since the completion of any sentence.

The committee found no exceptional circumstances to deviate from this policy, resulting in the refusal of the application.

Second Application: Medical Standards

The second application was refused due to the applicant failing to meet the medical standards required to drive a taxi in the borough. Councillor Baxter inquired about the impact of the applicant's medication on their driving ability and their current health condition. The applicant's representative highlighted that the applicant:

had been driving for 24 years and had made significant and permanent changes to his lifestyle following some health issues.

Despite this, the council's Occupational Health Advisor determined that the applicant did not meet the Group 2 medical standard, which is required for taxi drivers. The committee upheld the policy and refused the renewal application.

Understanding Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 is a critical piece of legislation that governs various responsibilities of local councils, including the licensing of taxis. This Act defines what constitutes a taxi and grants councils the authority to regulate and license them.

Wyre Council's Policy on Convictions

Wyre Council's policy on convictions, although not published online², is stringent in its approach to ensuring public safety. It treats cautions as convictions and generally requires a period of ten years to have elapsed since the completion of any sentence before considering the granting or renewal of a licence.

This week's Licensing Committee decisions underscore the council's commitment to upholding these standards to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.