Rotherham to be handed back licensing responsibility

After an intervention by the Department for Communities and Local Government into Rotherham MBC it has now been proposed in a letter from the Secretary of State to return non-executive functions to the Council in relation to licensing (particularly taxi licensing).

In February 2015, on the basis of a report by professor Alexis Jay on child sexual exploitation and Dame Louise Casey’s best value inspection, the then Secretary of State imposed Commissioners to take over the council’s executive functions, and institute “a rapid improvement programme”. In a written statement,  the Secretary of State said that Rotherham was “currently incapable of tackling its weakness without substantial intervention”, citing “a pervading culture of bullying, sexism, suppression and misplaced political correctness that has cemented the council’s failures”.

Following reports by the Lead Commissioner which set out comprehensive evidence of how the Council has achieved progress and met certain assessment criteria as earlier laid out by the Commissioner that the return of licensing powers could be returned to the Council.

The report included information on: the new, more stringent Hackney carriage and taxi licensing policy, in particular the ‘fit and proper person test’; the new organisational structure to ensure more joined-up and effective management of the service; more effective partnership working and information sharing arrangements to ensure relevant information is shared appropriately; improved formal decision making processes; and the development and enhanced capabilities of the Advisory Licensing Board, in particular the Chair.

Rotherham have until 9:30am on 3^rd November 2016 to make any representations regarding the proposed return of powers and the conditions under which they are proposed.   A final decision by the Secretary of State will follow thereafter.