A taxi driver from Stratford-upon-Avon has had his licence suspended for a period of eight weeks following allegations of an assault on another driver licensed by another authority.

The driver, who has been licensed by Stratford-on-Avon District Council for the last 38 years was the subject of a complaint from a driver licensed by another local authority who alleged that he was assaulted in June 2024 on Wood Street, Stratford-upon-Avon.

The out-of-town driver also reported the incident to Warwickshire Police. The complaint was then withdrawn by the complainant.

Given the evidence already provided and for reasons of public safety the Licensing Department continued to investigate.

At a Licensing Panel meeting on 20 November 2024, the driver acknowledged and took some accountability for his behaviour during the incident.

The driver, by his own admission, agreed that his behaviour fell below that of what is expected by the licensing authority and its licensed drivers.

The panel noted that the incident was serious. However, the panel did not consider that there was sufficient evidence to suggest that the driver's behaviour was likely to pose a threat to the safety of passengers, as such it considered revocation of his Dual Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver's Licence disproportionate.

The panel did however agree that some action was required to emphasise to the driver the importance of complying with the council's policies and conditions as applied to licensed taxi drivers in the interests of the public.

Accordingly, the panel resolved to suspend the drivers Dual Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver's Licence for a period of eight weeks.

Cllr Lorraine Grocott, Portfolio Holder for Environmental and Neighbourhood Services, said: "Public safety is of vital importance when it comes to considering whether a driver is fit and proper to hold a licence.

"In protecting public safety, we expect our drivers to maintain the high standard that is expected of them and their licensed vehicles."

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A North Ayrshire taxi driver has been issued a warning after being caught smoking inside his vehicle, in violation of local licensing regulations.

Alister Gill, a driver with over 25 years of experience, was observed smoking a cigarette by a Licensing Standards officer on 11 November.

The incident occurred in Canal Street, near Auchenharvie Academy, while Gill was alone in his Skoda with the window down.

The officer, Drew Robertson, emphasised that smoking, including e-cigarettes, is strictly prohibited within licensed taxis.

He explained that Gill could have easily stepped outside to smoke given the dry weather conditions.

Gill attributed his actions to stress caused by a previous fare who refused to pay. He admitted to smoking to alleviate this stress, despite acknowledging that he doesn't typically smoke while driving.

The committee, while acknowledging the driver's long service record, expressed concern about the potential impact of smoke on future passengers.

Councillor Christina Larsen stated: "A lot of people are allergic to cigarette smoke and it could have been the next person who got into the cab after he had lit up would have had difficulty getting into the car."

Following a discussion, the committee unanimously decided to issue a formal warning letter to Gill.

Chair Eleanor Collier stressed the importance of adhering to licensing regulations and warned that any future violations would be dealt with more severely.

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South Cambridgeshire District Council has introduced updated licensing requirements for taxi drivers in a move to enhance public safety and ensure fairness for drivers.

The District Council’s Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy changes came into force at the start of the year.

The following changes have been agreed:

Safeguarding Training:

Safeguarding training for new applicants must include disability awareness and must be undertaken in a classroom setting (online or remote) by a council approved course provider.

Appeal Process Revision:

Applicants refused a licence will have the right of appeal to the Magistrates’ Court instead of previously to the District Council’s Licensing Panel.

Competency Tests:

A maximum of three competency tests may be taken before the application will be refused. A new application can be submitted after three months.

Daily vehicle checks:

Drivers / proprietors must undertake a daily vehicle inspection as per the Department for Transport (DfT) guidance.

Vehicle Write-Offs:

New licences for category A, B, N or S insurance write-off vehicles will not be permitted, to further enhance driver and passenger safety and vehicle standards.

Wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles:

Wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles can be licensed if they meet a minimum Euro 5 emission standards (see policy for details).

Driver Handbook:

The driver handbook has been deleted and replaced with more up to date real-time information on the website, which will be more relevant to the trade.

There has been no change for: 

• The need to display plates, door signage and operator signage as Members considered it was in the grounds of public safety to retain door signage and ensure passengers accessed their correctly booked vehicle
• Emission standards for most vehicles
• Executive hire exemptions

Cllr Natalie Warren Green, Lead Cabinet Member for Licensing for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Amending our taxi driver policy ensures the safety of the public while creating a more reliable and professional service.

"This change not only prioritises passenger well-being but also supports local businesses by fostering trust and transparency. We’ve listened to concerns from our residents and have taken steps to address them, making sure that everyone feels safer and better served in our community.”

The revisions were agreed in a meeting of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Licensing Committee and came into force on 1 January 2025.

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A Saltcoats woman with previous drink-driving convictions has been granted a taxi driver's licence by North Ayrshire Council, despite objections from Police Scotland.

Sarah Connolly appeared before the licensing committee on 8 January, facing opposition from councillors due to two prior offences.

In 2020, she was fined £500 and banned from driving for a year after being found three times over the legal alcohol limit in Ardrossan.

A subsequent incident in 2022 on the Isle of Arran resulted in an £800 fine and a 15-month driving ban. Connolly claimed she was not driving in this instance, stating that she had switched seats with a friend who had driven the car into a ditch in order to exit the vehicle.

Sergeant David Markin argued that these convictions rendered Connolly unfit to hold a taxi driver's licence.

However, the committee, acknowledging Connolly's claims of personal growth and remorse, voted 7-3 in her favour.

Councillor Cameron Inglis stated: "I propose to grant the licence as I feel she has presented herself very well and shown change in her life."

This decision has raised concerns about public safety, with dissenting councillors citing concerns about her past behaviour.

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Darlington's long-standing taxi firm, United Taxis, has made the difficult decision to cease its nighttime operations with immediate effect.

This announcement, made after "much deliberation," comes amidst rising costs and other factors beyond the company's control.

Established over 35 years ago, United Taxis has been a familiar presence in the town. However, the company has stated that the current economic climate, coupled with unforeseen challenges, has necessitated this change.

In a statement, the company expressed gratitude to its loyal customers, drivers, and staff for their support throughout the years.

"We would like to thank the thousands of customers that have used our service over the 35 years it has been running, and also to the office staff, drivers and colleagues we have worked alongside," the statement read.

United Taxis will now operate from 6am to 6pm daily, continuing to provide reliable transportation services during these hours.

This news comes shortly after Darlington taxi drivers voiced concerns about the increasing presence Uber drivers in the town after the firm was granted a licence to operate in Darlington.

Local drivers had reported a decline in work, with some being forced to travel further afield for fares.

While the company did not explicitly state whether the rise of Uber was a contributing factor to their decision, the concerns raised by local drivers highlight the competitive pressures facing traditional taxi firms in the evolving transportation landscape.

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