Views to be sought on landaus policy

A scrutiny has been held of the landau fleet sparked by an accident on the Promenade in 2014.

Among the proposals which were made were that drivers take a tougher driving test, that set routes are created in order to standardise charges, and the creation of a landau operators forum.

It is also proposed there should be an inquiry into whether landaus should be allowed to operate on Friday nights during the Illuminations, after already being banned on Saturday nights.

The next stage will see the draft updated policy go before the council’s licensing committee on Tuesday.

Councillors are being recommended to approve a 12 week period of consultation due to start on March 14.

A report to the committee says: “As a result of these recommendations and due to the age of the existing policy, officers have produced a draft horse drawn Hackney carriage licensing policy for consideration by the committee today.”

The main changes proposed include:

• Aligning the requirements for medical clearance with those for the motorised Hackney carriage trade.

• Ensuring applicants for new licences have adequate literacy and numeracy skills, and that applicants for new licences have completed training covering safeguarding, sexual exploitation, disability and dementia awareness, and equality and diversity.

• To expand the driving test for new applicants to mirror the recommendations of the scrutiny committee; to require all applicants for new licences to provide documentary evidence of their right to work in the UK.

• To adopt the policy on convictions and cautions developed by the Local Government Association, and to require all existing licensed drivers to undergo safeguarding training.

The report adds: “If the draft policy is approved today a 12 week consultation will take place with the horse drawn Hackney carriage trade and the public.”