Council seeks permanent untaxed vehicle powers

A council is set to formally adopt devolved powers to remove and even dispose of untaxed vehicles following a pilot scheme.

Chesterfield Borough Council said it seized 60 untaxed vehicles under devolved powers from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) during a six-month trial.

According to council papers, 24 of the vehicles were released to their owners and 34 were scrapped, with two still being processed.

The council said the scheme, which is recommended for permanent adoption at a meeting on Tuesday, had also improved public safety by removing vehicles linked to poor roadworthiness, anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.

The authority added the results of the pilot demonstrated a continuing need to tackle untaxed vehicles across the borough. The DVLA estimates there are about 4,000 untaxed vehicles in Chesterfield.

Council officers said reports and intelligence received from members of the public during the trial showed the scheme should be expanded to deal with the number of vehicles being identified.

After costs, the council said the pilot scheme, which ran from February to August, generated a net gain of £6,600 to the authority.

A full-time enforcement role is now being advertised.

More than 80 local authorities and police forces across England and Wales were using the arrangements by 2021, with councils including Nottingham, Manchester, Dudley and Walsall carrying out enforcement activity.

Shaun Morley, head of community safety and regulatory services at the council, said: "The pilot has demonstrated that the DVLA devolved powers partnership can operate on a cost neutral or self-sufficient basis.

"Removing these vehicles from public roads, residential areas and accessible public land in an efficient, visible and timely manner helps to prevent deterioration in the street scene and reduces the likelihood of vehicles being vandalised, misused or becoming a focus for further nuisance."

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