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There is still time to give your views on revised taxi licensing policy

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You can still comment on changes to an important West Lancashire Borough Council document relating to taxis operating in the area.

The Council licences taxis and drivers throughout the Borough as a means to ensure public safety and to support the licensed trade. The Council’s standards for licensed vehicles and drivers are contained in its Taxi Licensing Policy.

Whilst the Policy was formally reviewed in 2016 and will last for five years, the Council is seeking to make additional amendments to reflect recent changes in legislation and implement additional safeguarding measures.

Key alterations include additional controls for Operators of taxi firms that would require them to provide details of persons who are employed or used by them and declare that they are safe and suitable to be so employed/used.

Policy matters relating to the accessibility of licensed vehicles are also proposed in line with current legislation. This effectively converts the previous voluntary list of accessible vehicles to a statutory list that will require drivers of wheelchair accessible vehicles to take wheelchair passengers, unless formally exempt.

Other changes include updates on environmental considerations and restrictions on the nature and type of advertising on licensed vehicles.

If you live and work in West Lancashire, the Council wants to hear your views on the proposed changes to the policy. It has started a public consultation which will run until 31 October 2017. All comments received will be presented to the Council’s Licensing and Appeals Committee for consideration.

To read the draft policy and find out how you can give your views, please visit www.westlancs.gov.uk/yourviews and click on consultations underway.

Councillor Kevin Wright, portfolio holder for Health and Community Safety said: “There is still time for you to give your views on this very important policy for the Council. We would therefore welcome the views of anyone living and working in West Lancashire as well as the taxi trade. The Council would particularly like to hear from people who use taxis regularly so that we can ensure our policy meets the needs of local people.”

Comments can be made by emailing: licensing.enquiries@westlancs.gov.uk or by post to: West Lancashire Borough Council, Licensing Service, Robert Hodge Centre, Stanley Way, Skelmersdale, WN8 8EE.

The police and local taxi companies and drivers have been contacted directly to get their views.

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