Agenda and draft minutes

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest received.

Purpose: To consider the draft policy following the consultation undertaken which has been prepared in response to the Department for Transport’s guidance on “Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards”. This guidance requires local authorities to adopt a policy and then review, revise and update the policy in relation to hackney carriage and private hire licensing.

The Committee considered a report (Agenda Item 3) concerning the Council’s draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. Mr Sean Murphy introduced the report by first thanking the taxi trade for their significant contribution to the redrafting of the policy and apologising for the delay in getting the policy to the Committee. Mr Murphy further explained the process that the policy had gone through, the changes made to the draft version of the policy and the controversial parts of the policy for the trade.

The Chairman proposed to suspend standing orders to allow the taxi trade to speak and this was seconded by Councillor Billy Drummond.

The proposal was put to a vote and passed.

*Standing Orders Suspended*

The taxi trade was given ten minutes to provide their representation. A recording of their representation can be found here - Special Licensing Committee - Monday 15th December 2025 - 12:50

After the taxi trade had spoken the Chairman proposed to reinstate standing orders, which was seconded by Councillor Drummond.

The proposal was put to a vote and passed.

*Standing Orders Reinstated*

Councillor David Marsh queried when the policy would be implemented. He expressed the need to find a balance between those who used protected plates and those who did not. He had reservations about passing a policy that was not fully completed.

Mr Murphy explained that the policy would allow for some transitional implementation dates so as not to adversely affect the taxi trade. He agreed that the protected plates issue was complicated; however, the report allowed for that section of the policy to be assessed and implemented by summer 2026. It was noted that it was up to the Committee to decide whether to agree the policy in advance of the receipt of the legal advice on this matter.

Ms Julia O’Brien stated that the licensing team was awaiting legal advice on the protected plate issues raised by the trade.

Mr Murphy further explained that the policy would come into effect once agreed, but there would be an annual review, and the team would discuss transitional arrangements with the trade.

The Chairman expressed the importance of having a policy, not only to protect the public but also to support the trade. He outlined the recommendations set out in the report.

Mr Murphy added that the typographical error relating to Certificates of Insurance would be amended in the final policy.

Councillor Tom McCann stressed that the policy was not the final product but a step forward, highlighting the built-in flexibility.

Councillor Phil Barnett questioned whether the policy could be tweaked, and the Chairman confirmed that it would include an implementation timetable for Committee review.

Councillor Clive Taylor stated that he was uncomfortable adopting a policy that was not completely finalised.

Councillor Martha Vickers asked about timeframes for consulting with the trade on the protected plates issue. The Chairman explained that a meeting was scheduled for 6 January 2026 to discuss the matter.

Councillor Stephanie Steevenson believed that the policy needed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.