ROUND THE COUNCILS
NORTH LANARKSHIRE: LICENSING REVIEW LAUNCHED
North Lanarkshire Council is set to launch a formal consultation process with taxi and private hire operators as it reviews its licensing policy. Councillors have
unanimously approved the
engagement, which will involve a broad range of stakeholders, including police, community organisations, and representatives of people with disabilities, to gather feedback that will “help shape the updated policies and procedures.” A critical component of this review is a demand survey to accurately assess the current provision and usage of taxi and private hire services across North Lanarkshire. A council report acknowledges the significant hurdles the trade has faced recently, such as “the pandemic and the emergence of app-based alternatives, as well as changes to the public’s leisure habits.” Crucially, the review also recognises a growing sentiment that “the current processes are too slow to respond effectively to these changes and new technologies so new systems need to be created to deal with them.” Beyond the demand survey, the comprehensive review will cover key areas including vehicle specifications, electronic communications, CCTV within vehicles, the license application process, and fee structures. Draft policies and all supporting evidence will be brought forward for assessment at a future meeting of the council’s finance committee.
GLASGOW: MOVES FOR MANDATORY CARD PAYMENTS
Glasgow taxi drivers could soon be required to accept card payments after the city’s licensing committee officially agreed to hold a public consultation on the issue. The committee is now set to gather views on whether it should be “mandatory for taxi drivers to allow the use of credit/debit cards.” While “some operators have installed payment card readers voluntarily,” there are currently no licensing conditions demanding it. The move is prompted by increasing public and trade pressure. Council officials reported “several queries” from members of the public, and noted “some operators have also raised it due to the number of people now asking drivers if they can pay by card.”
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The shift reflects a broader trend, with a council report stating: “It is now commonplace for members of the public not to carry cash, relying solely on card payments or preferring to use payment methods via a wallet on a smartphone.” Although “no local authority [in Scotland] has yet introduced licence conditions or adopted a policy mandating the use of card payment devices within taxis,” the report acknowledged that “several English authorities have mandated the use of card payment readers” and “the number of European cities also introducing a mandatory requirement for card payment facilities to be available for passengers in taxis is ever-increasing.” The consultation dates for the city’s 1,217 licensed taxis have not yet been announced, but its findings will be reported back to the licensing committee for a final decision.
HYNDBURN: TESTING MONOPOLY ENDED
Local taxi and PH drivers have secured a major victory as Hyndburn Council announced it will finally outsource vehicle safety inspections to private garages, ending a long-standing dispute over the authority’s testing monopoly. For years, licensed drivers were required to use the council’s own Central Vehicle Maintenance Unit (CVMU) at a cost of £52.50. However, the trade has “long raised concerns” regarding the facility, leading to repeated demands for an independent, privately operated alternative. Under the new shake-up, the council is inviting local MOT stations to apply for “approved provider” status. These garages will be authorised to conduct both standard MOTs and the mandatory taxi compliance checks. Hyndburn Council deputy leader, Cllr Melissa Fisher, stated that the transition would be a win-win for the borough, stating: “These changes will provide more flexibility for those in the trade and provide a boost to the economy by providing work to local garages. Despite the move to private providers, the council insists that safety requirements will not be diluted. All approved garages will be subject to
regular
inspections to ensure “standards are consistently maintained.” Once approved, these garages will be able to issue Certificates of Compliance directly to drivers.
JANUARY 2026 PHTM
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