ROUND THE COUNCILS CONWY:
“SCRUFFY” CLOTHING CRACKDOWN
Taxi drivers in Wales could face written warnings for wearing “scruffy” clothing, including baseball caps, vest tops and dirty attire, under proposed new licensing laws. Conwy Council's licensing committee discussed and adopted Welsh Government recommendations for a new code of conduct and dress code for private hire and hackney carriage drivers on 19 March. The new rules, aimed at improving the professional image of taxi services, outline acceptable and unacceptable clothing. Drivers with dirty or faded clothes, shorts above the knee, or flip-flops could face disciplinary action. Acceptable attire includes clean trousers, shirts, polo shirts, and smart shorts, while unacceptable clothing includes offensive slogans, vest tops, and headwear that obscures the face. Concerns were raised by Cllr Sharon Doleman about the enforcement of the new rules, questioning whether warnings would be issued to individual drivers or their employers, and whether enforcement would be proactive or reactive. Licensing officer John Donnelly clarified that warnings would initially go to the driver, with employers being involved in cases of persistent issues. He also emphasised that regular inspections and random checks would be conducted to enforce the new standards. A draft policy with the new rules is expected to be presented to the licensing committee in September.
GLASGOW: CONSULTATION ON TAXI/PH PROVISION
The public is being asked for their opinion on the number of taxis and private hire cars in Glasgow. The council has opened a consultation on the overprovision cap that is in place in Glasgow in response to a report by the city centre taskforce. Business leaders, and particularly the nighttime economy trade, have expressed concern about the availability of cars late at night and at weekends which can deter people from visiting Glasgow city centre. Some private hire operators on the other hand have said there is not enough trade in the city centre anymore to allow the current number of drivers to earn a decent living.
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The cap on taxis is 1,420 and for private hire cars it’s 3,450. The private hire market is at the capacity limit while there are 1,227 taxis currently operating in the city. The review could adjust the cap upwards or downwards or remove it altogether. The consultation will help the Licensing and Regulatory Committee (LRC) decide the future for the number of cars that can be licensed. It will also gather information on the recent experiences of taxi and private hire car passengers in the city. Alex Wilson, Chair of the LRC, urged anyone with an interest in Glasgow’s taxi and private hire car system to respond to the survey. He said: “The trade has faced huge challenges, such as the covid pandemic and the growth of phone-app technology. People’s leisure habits have also changed significantly in recent years. “Given the shifting landscape, it’s right that the licensing committee reflects on whether our policies are still proportionate and necessary. Gathering the widest possible range of views will help us ensure our policies strike the right balance for both operators and passengers. The survey via the consultation hub on the council’s website is available through this link:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/OUDP2025/ The public consultation is now open until May 28.
BCP: CONSULTATION ON POLICY CHANGES
Changes are being proposed to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s hackney carriage and private hire policies. The current policy is up for renewal and a number of changes have been proposed to ensure the council is up to date with relevant legislation and practices. A public consultation has been launched before the policy goes to the Licensing Committee for approval later this year. External stakeholders have been consulted with taxi trade representatives invited to workshops to create this draft policy. Cllr Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, said: “The changes that are being proposed would bring a unified policy across our three towns and we are keen to hear from residents and stakeholders because, ultimately, their feedback will inform the next stages of the process.” The public consultation started on 3 March and closes on 28 April; it can be completed online at:
https://haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/taxi-policy
APRIL 2025 PHTM
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