Agenda item

Report of the Director for Community Protection

Angela Rawson, Licensing Manager at Nottingham City Council, presented the report to the Committee, considering the proposal for the introduction of a Driver Improvement Penalty Points Scheme (DIPPS) for Nottingham City Council licensed vehicles. The following information was highlighted:

(a)  The scheme will improve the offer to citizens and visitors to Nottingham by raising the standards of service whilst also increasing the awareness of drivers to the standards expected of a Council licensed driver;

(b)  The Committee had previously considered the scheme at its meeting on 6 September 2016 but deferred the item so that further discussions and input from the trade could take place on the issue of a penalty point scheme;

(c)  Approximately 1900 licensed drivers were subsequently invited to a roadshow event at the Council House on 18 October 2016 for a presentation on the proposed DIPPS scheme and its operational impact. Over 200 drivers attended the roadshow together with trade representatives, Unite and NTLODA;

(d)  Between 18 October 2016 and 7 November 2016, 16 responses were received and a further meeting was held with Unite and NLTODA on 15 November 2016 to discuss the submissions made on behalf of their members. Responses were considered and evaluated and ultimately, it was not considered necessary to amend the proposed scheme as a result. If approved, the scheme would not jeopardise the Council’s ability to use other enforcement tools and would be implemented around April 2017.

The following information was presented, in response to comments and questions:

(e)  A consistent approach should be taken to taxi drivers entering the city from places like Gedling and Rushcliffe. Encouraging discussions have taken place with both borough Councils who are supportive of the approach being taken in Nottingham City;

(f)  Where taxi drivers are victim to abuse or criminal damage the onus is on them to report incidents to the relevant authority, such as the police;

(g)  Access to Loxley House would be improved by a better flow of traffic on Trent Street which has not always been possible with dropped kerbs, disabled access points and double yellow lines blocked;

(h)  The Portfolio Holder for Community Services has agreed to station four Community Protection Officers in the City Centre and the remaining 96 Community Protection Officers around the City will be trained in the application of the scheme. Although both Rushcliffe Borough Council and Gedling Borough Council are supportive of the City scheme, Gedling Borough Council has agreed to provide an Officer to support the implementation of the scheme in the City. A similar approach will hopefully be taken with Rushcliffe Borough Council;

(i)  Sanctions are open to appeal via the Council’s ‘Have Your Say’ portal and feedback will be provided by a senior Council officer. If 12 points have been reached then there would be an ultimate right of appeal to the Magistrates Court.

RESOLVED to

(1)  Approve the introduction of the Driver Improvement Penalty Points Scheme as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report;

(2)  Allow changes to be made to the scheme by the Director of Community Protection, Chief Anti-Social Behaviour, Trading Standards and Licensing officer, together with the Licensing Manager in consultation with the Chair of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee and the Opposition Spokesperson.