LGA and Institute of Licensing pursue national register of taxi/PHV revocations

The move follows discussions with the National Anti-Fraud Network (NAFN) and groups of authorities in South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester.

The LGA has commissioned NAFN to begin development of the registers, which will be maintained and hosted by NAFN on behalf of all local authorities.

The register is to be available at no extra cost to all local authorities already signed up to NAFN’s existing data and intelligence services (currently 86% of English and Welsh councils).

“It will enable a national response to an issue that extends beyond individual regions,” the LGA and the IOL said.

“Although a register of refusals and revocations cannot on its own solve the many challenges facing councils in regulating taxis and PHVs, it will be an important sector-led step to tackling the problem of individuals making applications in different areas following a refusal or revocation elsewhere.”

The project will begin in June and is intended to be complete by the end of 2017. A project board comprising the LGA, the IoL and NAFN will oversee the project. Additionally, a user group comprising council officers will provide advice on specification, testing and acceptance.

The LGA and the IOL would welcome comments or feedback from areas that have been developing their own approaches to ensure that the new register is built on your experience. If you have any information you would like to share, please email ellie.greenwood@local.gov.uk.