TAXI licensing bosses are set to change their ways after an inspection into the system unearthed problems.

The team at Bolton Council which hands out permits and enforces rules for drivers was evaluated by the Local Government Association (LGA) in an effort to improve “poor practice” while ensuring the process protects people using taxis.

Issues addressed by the LGA’s ‘Peer Challenge’ include delays in processing applications, leading to recommendations that the council performs a “thorough review”.

The aim of this audit would be to ensure the process is “safe, transparent, fair, customer friendly and culturally aware”.

While the LGA questioned some of the licensing processes, reviewers also praised the attitudes of staff for their commitment to change.

Councillors welcomed the review at a cabinet meeting this week, endorsing its recommendations.

Licensing committee chairman Paul Wild said the “first-class” review shows that processes need to be streamlined.

The borough has seen a 52 per cent increase in the number of licensed vehicles over the past decade, the Conservative councillor noted.

Bolton now has an average of 6.94 drivers per 1,000 residents – significantly higher than the Greater Manchester and national average of 4.6 and 5.1 respectively.

These additional vehicles, mostly private hire drivers, have resulted in 45 per cent increase in the case load for the licensing department.

UKIP leader Sean Hornby reminded councillors that licensing disputes have led to taxi drivers protesting outside the town hall on several occasions over the last few years.

He said: “It takes a long time to build up a good working relationship. We owe it to that trade to do this.”

Lib Dem councillor David Wilkinson also welcomed the review but he wanted elected representatives to have a say on how the recommendations are put into practice.

He said: “We’ve seem to be, constantly over the years, revisiting licensing. I’m hoping the outcome of this review and the plan by the director will give us some stability. My concern is about scrutiny. I’d prefer that it went to a policy development group (PDG).”

Labour also called for a cross-party group of councillors to scrutinise the final plans before they are implemented.

The cabinet decided that the director of place Gerry Brough will take his improvement plan to a PDG before it is implemented by executive cabinet member Anne Galloway.