TAXIS and private hire vehicles in Hyndburn face a major licensing shake-up next year in a move branded by one operator ‘just another unjustified council burden’.

The new framework will be debated by the borough’s ruling cabinet tomorrow, with a view to implementing it after a 12-week consultation period.

It will be the first time Hyndburn has had a comprehensive policy on how vehicles, and drivers, are licensed, and what checks are made on their safety and suitability.

The scheme will include:

  • Replacing the current requirement to renew the taxi, or private hire, badge annually with a three-year document n Requiring drivers to undergo a criminal records bureau check on criminal convictions every three years, instead of five
  • Checking with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for undeclared endorsements for driving offences annually, instead of every five years
  • The introduction of a code of conduct to “promote the council and the professional image of its drivers”
  • Insisting that newly-licensed hackney cabs are wheelchair friendly n Cutting the current six- month period of grace to renew a licence for a vehicle, or driver, after it has expired to just one week.

Hassan Hussain, of Central Taxis in Accrington, said: “This is ridiculous. It’s just another unjustified council bur-den on the borough’s taxis.

“They do nothing for us. It’s just red tape to make the council money.”

Council deputy lead-er Clare Pritchard said: “This is about doing the right thing. We do not have a proper written policy at the moment. We are bringing together existing pracice into a single clear framework. It is about safety for passengers, drivers and vehicles.

“We have never had a proper policy before and we are going to discuss it and, if approved, go out to consultation.

“It will mean everybody knows where they stand. It will be good for drivers, passengers and vehicles.”

When the new framework is introduced, it will be backed by a new enforcement policy, the report to the borough cabinet adds.