Working alongside partners including West Midlands Police, the Home Office Immigration Team, NHS colleagues and Community Protection officers, licensing teams carried out checks on licensed vehicles, visited licensed premises and undertook targeted enforcement operations throughout the week.
One of the largest operations in the week saw Licensing, Community Protection, Wolverhampton Police and Walsall Council’s MOT testing team inspect 12 licensed vehicles (3 Hackney Carriage and 9 Private Hire vehicles) during an evening enforcement exercise. Five vehicles were suspended after concerns were identified including expired MOT and vehicle parts which were unsafe due to damage.
Licensing and Community Protection officers also carried out proactive checks on Hackney Carriage vehicles operating in Walsall town centre, resulting in one suspension following no tariff card displayed in vehicle.
A further operation at Walsall Manor Hospital focused on services provided to wheelchair users and passengers travelling with assistance dogs. Twenty-four licensed vehicles were inspected, with a number of issues rectified including identification badges not on show.
In preparation for increased activity linked to the FIFA World Cup period, Licensing and Community Protection officers visited six premises that had submitted Temporary Event Notices. The visits provided an opportunity to assess preparations, offer advice and ensure operators understood their responsibilities ahead of anticipated busy trading periods.
“ National Licensing Week provided an opportunity to showcase the breadth of work carried out by our licensing officers all year round.
“These exercises help ensure high standards are maintained, protect public safety and provide reassurance that action will be taken where issues are identified. “
Councillor Ian Benton, Portfolio Holder for Street Scene and Enforcement
National Licensing Week, organised by the Institute of Licensing, highlights the important role licensing plays in everyday life and raises awareness of the work carried out by licensing authorities across the country.