Freedom of Information Request

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/taxi_private_hire_offenses#incoming-412472

The above request has been released to a Manchester Hackney Driver (and the rest of the World) It shows the performance of the Licensing Compliance team. It is not awe inspiring.

1. Plying for Hire          16 offences, 14 convicted.

2. Insurance offences  16 Offences, 14 convicted.

3. Unlicesed PH           3 offences

4. Act or Default           1 offence

5. Bye law, HC.           1 Conviction

6. Unlicensed driver     1 conviction

7. Fraud offence          1 conviction.

It would appear obvious the first two collections of offences are one and the same, 14 convictions of multiple charges. i.e. Plying for hire coupled with no insurance.

Item 3, unlicensed PH was probably connected as well. If we take that as true, we have just 18 seperate convictions, in the one year period.

The External Auditor tells us that the Compliance team cost us £168704 per year.

Divide the £168 grand by 18 and you get the sum of £9372. Nearly £10 grand per conviction. That cannot be considered good value for money by any standards.

I believe the forthcoming Law Commission report should recommend that enforcement should be removed from the hands of the local authority and placed in the hands of the Police.