Month & number of investigations

Type of incident

No of incidents

Action taken

April 2016

61

Complaint – overcharging of fares

1

Matter investigated, driver interviewed – No evidence no action taken.

Complaint – drivers driving standards

1

Matter investigated, driver interviewed – No evidence no action taken, note on record.

Report from Police – driver in unplated vehicle.

1

Driver was an unlicensed driver in an O licence vehicle – outside the Licensing Departments jurisdiction.

Report from Police – no plated displayed on vehicle.

1

Points issued to driver.

Illegal plying for hire

40

Operators records requested in all instances –

Warning letters were issued to the majority as the penalty points system had just been implemented and they had not been reported before. However 11 vehicles had legitimate bookings, 3 were unlicensed by Maidstone but were operating on O licences and outside the licensing departments jurisdiction, 2 were T&M vehicles and their information forwarded on. Points were issued to 2 drivers as they had been previously warned.

Unlicensed Vehicle reported

1

Investigations made, was previously licensed by Maidstone expired in 2013, not licensed by any surrounding authorities, advised driver to report the matter to Police and Licensing Department if spotted again.

Complaint – Aggressive driving

2

After investigation the vehicle was a T&M licensed vehicle and the information forwarded to them to deal with.

Maidstone driver interviewed and issued points.

PHD Driver parked in the town centre where they should not be.         

11

Warning letters issued.

Partnership Enforcement

3

Checks on vehicles while on school  runs :

2 vehicles suspended until corrective works carried out.

1 PHD driver working without an operator’s licence, advised to remedy the situation and not work until resolved

May 2016

17

Alleged illegal Plying for hire

8

8 out of town vehicles reported, information passed to the relevant local authority

Driver complaint – behaviour and fare charge

1

Matter investigated, driver interviewed – No action taken.

Driver – Working without badge

4

Drivers told to go home and get badges - Warning letter issued – no points were given.

HCD/PHD Drivers parked in places in the town centre where they should not be.

3

2 Warning letters issued and 1 issue of penalty points to a driver who had already received a warning for the same offence.

Complaint re unlicensed vehicle

1

After investigation this was found to be operating on an O licence and outside the Licensing Departments Jurisdiction

June 2016

10

Driver complaint – non-attendance to a disabled passenger

1

Matter investigated, driver interviewed – Points issued.

Driver complaint – Dangerous driving

1

Matter investigated, driver interviewed – Points issued.

Alleged illegal Plying for hire        

8

1 - out of town vehicles reported, information passed to the relevant local authority

7 – Operators records requested from drivers and operators. All investigated, issue of 6 points to one driver, all other bookings were legitimate

July 2016

8

Driver complaint – Bad driving –  advised 9 points on D/L not disclosed to Licensing Department

1

Licence suspended pending investigation, driver did not cooperate or attend for interview, licence expired in the interim and was not renewed.

Complaint from member of public with regard to the service from an operator

1

Discussions had with operator to resolve issue – to be resolved directly between complainant and operator.

Alleged illegal Plying for hire

3

1 - out of town vehicles reported, information

passed to the relevant local authority

2 – Operators records requested from drivers and operators. All investigated, issue of 6 points to the drivers

Driver complaint – Rudeness to a member of the public

1

Matter investigated, driver interviewed – Warning given

Driver – Failure to provide operators records

1

6 points issued

Operator – Operating without a licence

1

Visit to premises advised given and to cease trading until licence in place, complied with – no formal action taken

Driver -  Failure to display PHV plate

1

4 points issued.

August 2016

16

Driver – refused new application due to nature of offences on DBS

1

Letter sent refusing application, appeal made to HoS who upheld the Officer’s original decision.

Driver – Appeal against penalty points

1

Opportunity given for them to supply evidence to the contrary, none provided – Orginal decision upheld

Complaint from member of public with regard to the service from an operator

1

Discussions had with operator to resolve issue – to be resolved directly between complainant and operator.

Allegations made against a licensed driver.

1

Interviewed the driver who was still being investigated. Matter was dropped by Police, allegations unfounded.

Requests made to drivers/operators to supply current insurance documents for licensed vehicle

7

No response from previous request; suspension notices issued.

Driver – non disclosure of caution

1

Driver attended interview, warning given.

Illegal plying for hire

4

Request for records made – 3 had legitimate bookings, points issued to 1 driver.

September 2016

18

Illegal plying for hire

2

1 out of town vehicle referred to the relevant authority. Records requested for MBC vehicle, legitimate booking.

Driver – Drivers behaviour

1

Driver interviewed, points issued.

Hackney Vehicles Enforcement Inspections.

15

3 - Current insurance documents not present in vehicle - driver instructed to rectify and represent vehicle to Officers

2 - internal plate not displayed – driver instructed to rectify and represent vehicle to Officers

2 - Not displaying fare charts - driver instructed to rectify and represent vehicle to Officers.

1 - Vehicle with minor damage advised immediate rectification and re-presenting to Officers before continuing to work.

1 - Driver not wearing or having badge present- given points and instructed to cease working until badge is worn.

6 - vehicles no issues indentified

October 2016

18

Driver – complaint received as to whether the driver of a vehicle was actually licensed and standard of driving/knowledge of area

1

Vehicle owner contacted and driver’s identity established, driver called in and interviewed. No formal action taken as satisfactory explanation given.

Partnership Enforcement

1

Checks on vehicles while on school  runs :

Vehicle suspended until operator got corrective works done, cracked windscreen & tyres close to legal limit.

Driver was found to be unlicensed, badge had run out 2 months previously and the driver had forgotten to renew. PROSECUTION matter heard 17th January 2017 at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court. Result imposed a fine of £150. Ordered to pay a contribution towards costs of £150  and the victim surcharge of £30.

Unmet Demand Survey – Mystery Shopper Exercise 21.7.16

16

The unmet demand survey identified some drivers of vehicles as not having their badge number or details visible. Plate and registration number of the vehicles in question were supplied. All the vehicle proprietors in question were written to and reminded of condition 13 of the Byelaws in relation to badges, no points issued just advice.

November 2016

18

 Driver - Information passed from another Local Authority

1

Driver not wearing badge – Points issued

Driver – Story in Kent Messenger

1

Driver attended Offices for interview. Explanation given no formal action taken.

Driver – Incident witnessed by Officer

1

Driver attended Offices for interview. Explanation given Points issued.

Driver – Complaint from public, vehicle regularly parked with engine running in residential area

1

Driver written to and advised to stop parking in residential areas and return to base between bookings. Any further complaint would incur formal action.

Hackney Vehicles Enforcement Inspections.

13

5 - Current insurance documents not present in   vehicle - driver instructed to rectify and represent vehicle to Officer’s

2 - internal plate not displayed – driver instructed to rectify and represent vehicle to Officer’s

1- Not displaying fare chart - driver instructed to rectify and represent vehicle to Officer’s.

5 - vehicles no issues at all

Driver – On mobile phone whilst driving

1

Matter investigated, note on record, no formal action taken.

December 2016

6

Illegal Operator & other matters raised with other agencies

1

Visit - joint operation with Immigration, Police & Licensing, the owner of the establishment denied the claims, no evidence found to support complaint

Hackney Vehicles Enforcement Inspections.

4

3 – No Issues

1 – Immediate attention required to rusty sharp edges on 2 doors, instructed company to remove the vehicle from the road until repairs carried. Vehicle presented to Officers and reinstated back to work.

Illegal Plying for hire

1

Operator’s records requested – legitimate booking.

Month & number visits

Type of incident

No of premises

Action taken

April 2016

16

New Applications- site visit to check Blue/White notice

2

1 – Present and correct

1- Not present, applicant contacted and advised to re-date the notices for the new 28 day period and display

Premises Visits - New

7

5 - General checks good (licence displayed, DPS correct etc).

2 - General checks non compliance,

1 DPS had changed advised to rectify

1 Licence not displayed, advised to get copy

3 - Annual fee chase following suspension notice.

Premises Visits- Revisits checking on previous non compliance

5

5- Licence still not displayed, advised to correct immediately advised it is an offence under S 57 (4) Failure to keep premises licence or certified copy at premises and failure to display summary of premises licence or certified copy and notice specifying nominated person by the Premises Licence Holder. As they had previously advised there is no longer a reasonable excuse and a Level 2 (£500)

penalty could be applied if prosecuted

1 – Still no refusals book- referred to Police licensing Officer

GA2005 Premises Visits

2

1 – FEC – Check machines, no permits were displayed advised to remedy the situation.

1- Gambling Premises licence displayed correctly.

May 2016

15

New Applications- site visit to check Blue/White notice

2

2 – Present and correct

Premises Visits - New

6

4 - General checks good (licence displayed, DPS correct etc).

2 – minor amendments to licence details (change of address for 1 DPS and 1 change of name for a premises)

2 –Annual fee payment requests

Street Trading

1

Street trader had not renewed their consent and was trading without one, advised to submit application asap and to stop trading until granted.

Premises Visits- Revisits checking on previous non compliance

5

5- Licence still not displayed, advised to correct immediately advised it is an offence under S 57 (4) Failure to keep premises licence or certified copy at premises and failure to display summary of premises licence or certified copy and notice specifying nominated person by the Premises Licence Holder. As they had previously advised there is no longer a reasonable excuse and a Level 2 (£500)

penalty could be applied if prosecuted

GA2005 Premises Visits

1

No issues identified at premises

JUNE 2016

3

New Applications- site visit to check Blue/White notice

3

3 – Present and correct

JULY 2016

18

New Applications- site visit to check Blue/White notice

4

3 – Present and correct

1 - Not present, applicant contacted and advised to re-date the notices for the new 28 day period and display

Premises Visits - New

9

6 - General checks good (licence displayed, DPS correct etc).

3 –minor amendments to licence details (change of address for 1 DPS and 1 change of name for a premises)

5- Annual fee payment requests

Annual fee – Suspension issued

3

Annual fee payment requests

Premises Visits- Revisits checking on previous non compliance

2

1 – check licence displayed with new DPs details

1 – check licence displayed with new change of premise name completed

GA2005 Premises Visits

5

Gambling Premises licence displayed correctly.

August 2016

19

New Applications- site visit to check Blue/White notice

5

All Present and correct

Premises Visits - New

9

6 - General checks good (licence displayed, DPS correct etc).

3 –minor amendments to licence details (change of address for 1 DPS and 1 change of name for a premises)

4- Annual fee payment requests

GA2005 Premises Visits

3

Gambling Premises licence displayed correctly.

September 2016

20

New Applications- site visit to check Blue/White notice

2

All Present and correct

Premises Visits - New

17

13 - General checks good (licence displayed, DPS correct etc).

4 –minor amendments to licence details (change of address for 1 DPS and 1 change of name for a premises)

1- Annual fee payment requests

complaint

1

Premise visit with EHO, allegations in relation to noise going on after licensed hours at a premises, also that licensable activities also going on beyond their licence hours. Licensing found that licensable activities did cease at the time they were supposed to but patrons were lingering and causing noise nuisance, advice given on the kind of measures to put in place to minimise the problem.

GA2005 Premises Visits

6

Gambling Premises licence displayed correctly.

October 2016

16

New Applications- site visit to check Blue/White notice

2

All Present and correct

Premises Visits - New

13

13 - General checks good (licence displayed, DPS correct etc).

6 –minor amendments to licence details (change of address for 1 DPS and 1 change of name for a premises)

4- Annual fee payment requests

complaint

1

Premise visit with EHO, allegations in relation to noise after installation of new sound system. Advice given on levels and complying with conditions of licence.

GA2005 Premises Visits

2

Gambling Premises licence displayed correctly.

November 2016

18

New Applications- site visit to check Blue/White notice

8

7 - All Present and correct

1- applicant advised to replace notice as water damage had made it illegible.

Premises Visits - New

6

5 - General checks good (licence displayed, DPS correct etc).

1 –minor amendments to licence details (change of address for 1 DPS and 1 change of name for a premises)

2- Annual fee payment requests

Premises Visits- Revisits checking on previous non compliance

2

2 - check licence displayed with new change of premise name completed

complaint

2

Premise visit with EHOs in relation to noise complaints. Advice given on levels and complying with conditions of licence.

GA2005 Premises Visits

2

Gambling Premises licence displayed correctly.

December 2016

16

New Applications- site visit to check Blue/White notice

2

All Present and correct

Premises Visits - New

8

6 - General checks good (licence displayed, DPS correct etc).

1 –minor amendments to licence details (change of address for 1 DPS and 1 change of name for a premises)

2- Annual fee payment requests

Premises Visits- Revisits checking on previous non compliance

Enforcement

1

An Interim Authority Notice was not submitted within 7 days of the Licence holder passing away Officer’s visited the premises to advise removal of alcohol as due to the circumstance the licence had lapsed.

Scrap Metal - site

1

Site visits as application to renew licence had been made

Joint Partner visit

1

Attend premised with Police, trading standards and immigration in response to allegations of illegal workers and operation.

Joint Partner Visit

1

Attend premises with Police to request removal of alcohol as suspension notice in place and annual fee not paid.

GA2005 Premises Visits

4

Gambling Premises licence displayed correctly.