ROUND THE COUNCILS TEIGNBRIDGE: LICENSING RULES OVERHAUL PROPOSED
Teignbridge District Council has launched a major public consultation on sweeping updates to its taxi and private hire licensing policy, aiming to boost public safety, elevate trade standards, and help the environment. Running from Friday, June 26 until midday on Friday, August 7, the council is actively seeking feedback from drivers, operators, passengers, and residents on the draft policy, which marks the first full review of the local licensing framework in over 15 years. The proposed changes introduce significantly tighter regulations across the board. Drivers will face stricter suitability rules, including new knowledge assessments and language proficiency
checks,
alongside mandatory training in safeguarding, disability awareness, and spotting county lines drug exploitation. Vehicle standards will also get tougher, with requirements for daily safety checks by drivers, formal inspections every six months, stricter emission controls, and new guidelines regarding in-vehicle CCTV. Additionally, the policy expects drivers to predominantly operate within Teignbridge and introduces rules for horse-drawn carriage services. Councillor Suzanne Sanders, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, explained that the review aims to keep services safe, reliable, and accessible while maintaining a fair system for workers. “We want to know whether the proposals strike the right balance between safety, service and reasonable requirements for the trade,” Cllr Sanders said. Residents and stakeholders can review the draft policy and submit their views on the council’s website:
https://shorturl.at/quXXO before the final policy goes to the full council later this year.
FAREHAM: LICENCES GRANTED DESPITE NO CHECKS
Fareham Borough Council’s licensing panel has approved private hire licences for two applicants despite significant gaps in their overseas criminal records, ruling that both men are “fit and proper” to work. The decisions, made during a meeting on June 16, mark a departure from standard licensing policies due to what councillors described as exceptional
PHTM AUGUST 2026
circumstances beyond the drivers’ control. The first applicant, “Mr H,” was granted a licence despite a 12-year gap in his history caused by the collapse of the Afghan government. Born in Afghanistan, Mr H explained he was in education before leaving the country, moving to the United Arab Emirates in 2022 and arriving in the UK in 2025. Because official records were wiped following the Taliban’s return to power, he could not provide a certificate of good conduct. The panel noted that Mr H had a completely clear UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and DVLA driving licence. Councillors concluded that the missing records were not his fault and that there was “no evidence of a risk to public safety.” The second applicant, “Mr G,” had his licence approved despite missing background checks from Sri Lanka prior to his move to the UK in 2006. Mr G told the panel he could not safely return to his home country due to his political stance, and his elderly parents were unable to secure the document for him. Acknowledging these exceptional reasons, the panel approved his licence but changed the standard terms to restrict it “to the duration of Mr G’s right to work in the UK.”
STIRLING: PUBLIC CONSULTATION LAUNCHED
Stirling Council has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on local taxi and private hire services and help shape future improvements. The review is being conducted alongside traffic consultants LVSA to evaluate the current state of licensed vehicles across the region. Key issues under review include whether the council should place a cap on the total number of taxis and private hire vehicles, as well as assessing the accessibility and variety of the fleet currently on the road. The consultation is a statutory requirement under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. Council officials hope the feedback will provide "vital insights to sustain and enhance the services provided by licensed vehicles." Members of the public have until Sunday, August 9, to share their views. The online survey can be accessed directly through the Stirling Council website:
https://forms.gle/o2hBcgmBXKDkm1NN9
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