Taxi drivers in Hereford are attending a meeting at the Herefordshire Council offices on Plough Lane in Hereford this morning.
In the meeting Herefordshire Council will set out to approve the reviewed and amended Taxi and Private Hire Policy 2022 – 2027, which many taxi drivers oppose.
Many drivers have shared their frustration over the policy, with a number of changes being made.
Earlier this year a protest took place outside the Three Counties Hotel in Hereford, where an initial meeting was held.
Taxi drivers in Herefordshire are concerned about facing an increase to licence fees, with many drivers raising concerns about the plans.
Earlier this year, 177 drivers signed a petition stating:
We the undersigned petition the council to politely request that senior licensing department officers and a small delegation of elected councillors meet with representatives of the taxi association prior to any vote being taken on the new proposed Licensing Policy and Conditions.
Petition to Herefordshire District Council from members of Hereford Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association for the council meeting 04/03/2022
Cllr Tyler, Cabinet Member Housing, regulatory services and community safety said in response earlier this year:
I thank the members of the Hereford Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association for submitting this petition to Herefordshire Council on the 4th March 2022.
The consultation responses arising from the review of the Taxi Licensing Policy are being considered with the support of our lawyers as well as the independent taxi licensing solicitor, James Button, who is one of the UK’s leading authorities on such matters.
I am advised that the Full Council meeting in May is to be dedicated to the business of the council’s AGM, so I have asked that the policy be deferred to 29th July meeting as this is a complicated policy which requires time to ensure that the policy presented to Full Council in July is fit for purpose, reasonable and enforceable.
The Council held two meetings inviting the trade to discuss their concerns and encouraged all their members to present their views through the consultation to ensure their voice was heard, so there are many consultation comments to consider.
That said we acknowledge the existing policy is causing concerns with the trade, which remains in force until the new policy is adopted. It has always been my intention to meet with the trade before we release the final version and anticipate that we will be at this stage in May. Further details of when and how we can meet will be circulated to you in due course. In the meantime, I therefore ask that the trade be patient with Council, in particular the licensing department, as it essential we get this right and give it the time it deserves.
The Council has a duty of care to ensure that the policy does not compromise public safety or safeguarding, whilst at the same time we do appreciate that the policy should not disadvantage drivers and operators where at all possible.
The policy has a rigorous governance process to follow on its route to full Council.
