FOI Request - Guide Dog Taxi Refusals

Request 101002256800

We wish to submit an FOI seeking information of access refusals by taxi and/or private vehicles in respect of Guide Dogs owners and their guide dogs.

1.                How many access refusals complaints have you received in the period from 30th June 2018 to 30th June 2019?
2.                How were the complaints dealt with? Which department and/or official within the local authority is responsible for handling complaint and deciding on the outcome of the complaint?
3.                For each complaint received during the specified period, can you provide information about the outcome? E.g. was the driver fined or was the drivers licence suspended?
4.                If a penalty is given and served how long does it stay on a driver’s record?
5.                How many medical exemption certificates (i.e. certificates confirming that the driver has a medical condition which exempts him or her from carrying assistance dogs) have been issued to taxi and private hire drivers in the period 30th June 2018 to 30th June 2019?
6.                Do you provide training for drivers of taxis and private hire drivers?
7.                If the answer to question 6 is ‘yes’, does (a) the training cover disability and access issues and (b) is the training compulsory?

Response 11-09-2019

1.                How many access refusals complaints have you received in the period from 30th June 2018 to 30th June 2019? - NONE
2.                How were the complaints dealt with? Which department and/or official within the local authority is responsible for handling complaint and deciding on the outcome of the complaint? N/A
3.                For each complaint received during the specified period, can you provide information about the outcome? E.g. was the driver fined or was the drivers licence suspended? N/A
4.                If a penalty is given and served how long does it stay on a driver's record? - This would be determined by committee on a case by case basis
5.                How many medical exemption certificates (i.e. certificates confirming that the driver has a medical condition which exempts him or her from carrying assistance dogs) have been issued to taxi and private hire drivers in the period 30th June 2018 to 30th June 2019? - NONE
6.                Do you provide training for drivers of taxis and private hire drivers?  - NO
7.                If the answer to question 6 is 'yes', does (a) the training cover disability and access issues and (b) is the training compulsory? N/A