GALASHIELS
Council chiefs have come in for further criticism for granting taxi licences to applicants with criminal convictions and for insisting on doing so in secret.
As reported previously, burglars, arsonists, thieves and drink-drivers have all been given taxi and private-hire licences by the council in meetings held behind closed doors that the press and public are barred from attending.
Nearly half of all licences handed out in 2017 were given to cabbies with criminal records, with domestic abuse, drink-driving, wilful fireraising and speeding offences listed as prior convictions on their application forms.
One licence holder has even been convicted of indecent exposure twice, and another has a criminal record for carrying a pistol in public.
At a full meeting of Scottish Borders Council today, October 25, Galashiels councillor Harry Scott asked council chiefs how and why 155 licences have been granted to people with previous convictions.
Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar, the authority’s executive member for roads and infrastructure, told him: “When an applicant has prior convictions, has criminal prosecutions pending or the police object to the granting or renewal of a licence, then the application is referred to the civic government licensing committee to determine.
“It will then be for the committee to decide, based on all information available, whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.
“Police officers will also be present and address the committee.
“The applicant will also be invited to speak to the committee and be subject to questioning.
“If the committee considers the applicant to be a danger to the public, or for any other reason decides that the applicant is not a fit and proper person, then the application will be refused.”
Following on from his first question, Mr Scott asked Mr Edgar: “How many holders of taxi and private hire licences have been convicted of criminal offences whilst employed as such during the past five years and what were the nature of those offences?”
Mr Edgar revealed that over the past five years, 20 taxi or private licence holders have been convicted of criminal offences while employed as drivers in the Borders.
Those convictions were made up of seven road traffic offences, four domestic breaches of the peace, three other breaches of the peace and one conviction apiece for threatening or abusive behaviour, assault, carrying an offensive weapon, theft, drink-driving and social security fraud.
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A Mansfield taxi driver has lost his appeal against having his licence revoked after he drove off leaving two female passengers in a vulnerable situation following a dispute over a fare.
Mr Lal Miah, 48, of Mansfield Road, Clipstone, had his licence revoked on May 15, 2018 by Mansfield District Council after the council deemed he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
Following complaints from members of the public, a council investigation had found Mr Miah had not behaved in a civil and orderly manner, failed to take precautions to ensure the safety of the passenger getting out of his vehicle, refused to give his name on request, failed to clearly display his driver’s badge and refused to produce his badge on request. Further, despite being asked by the passengers, the driver had also refused to use his meter.
Mr Miah’s appeal was heard at the Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Friday October 19.
After hearing witness evidence and considering CCTV footage of the incident, the court agreed with the council that Mr Miah’s driving manoeuvre was dangerous and as a licensing authority, the council was not wrong to revoke his licence.
Mr Miah was ordered to pay £1,000 towards the council’s legal costs incurred in defending this appeal.
Jacqueline Collins, Mansfield District Council’s Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer, said: “We were always confident in our original decision and are pleased that the magistrates’ court was in agreement.
“Mansfield District Council will always seek to take action against any taxi drivers who do not adhere to the high standards required by legislation and policy. We would encourage anyone who has any concerns about a taxi or a driver to report them to the driver’s licensing authority, and if necessary, to the police.
“I would like to thank the members of the public who reported their original concerns and who gave evidence in court. Without their assistance, the safety of members of the public could have been at risk.”
Mansfield District Council’s Licensing team is keen to hear about any incidents involving MDC licensed vehicles, particularly any incidents where MDC licensed drivers are refusing to use their meters. Please contact them on 01623 463181.
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