ROUND THE COUNCILS TELFORD:
CABBIES HESITANT OVER FREE CCTV
Taxi drivers in Telford & Wrekin are showing reluc- tance to adopt a free in-cab CCTV scheme launched in December 2022, primarily due to privacy concerns when using their work vehicles as personal family cars. Out of c. 400 licensed vehicles in the borough, only 48 HCs and PHVs have had CCTV installed so far using funding from the community safety partnership. During a community scrutiny committee meeting on October 1, 2026, Cllr Peter Scott questioned why more drivers had not participated in the programme, calling it “an excellent scheme,” while Committee members widely praised the safety project. A council official explained some drivers “don’t feel comfortable having CCTV on because they think it would record every journey and they feel it’s an invasion of privacy.” However,
council representatives are actively
reassuring drivers that footage is strictly regulated. As the official noted: “We only ever take CCTV footage from inside a vehicle if there was a complaint or incident. It would be related to their work.” Alongside the CCTV rollout, the council continues to support safety measures such as a Taxi Marshal scheme, Street Pastors, targeted enforcement, and joint vehicle stop operations with West Mercia Police.
WEST NORTHANTS: EIGHT-WEEK CONSULTATION LAUNCHED
West Northamptonshire Council has launched an eight-week consultation until midnight on Sunday, December 6, proposing changes to rules governing taxis, drivers and operators across Northampton, Daventry and South Northamptonshire. The review, which is the first since April 2024, introduces clearer English language proficiency requirements, stricter DBS checks, and updated medical standards, alongside new obligations for drivers to report relevant incidents and personal circumstance changes. Other proposed adjustments include removing the current requirement for fire extinguishers and first- aid kits, raising driver medical examination age threshold from 60 to 65, and updating vehicle identification rules such as door signage and restrictions on PHVs using the words ‘Taxi’ or ‘Cab’. While maintaining Euro 6 emissions requirements for
32
new and replacement vehicles and postponing a broader review of existing taxi zones, the council emphasises that safeguarding children and vulnerable adults remains a central priority. The updates stem from legislative changes, learned lessons, and daily industry feedback. Full details and the consultation are available via:
https://shorturl.at/6JeHK.
STRATFORD-u-AVON: NEW LICENSING POLICY CONSULTATION
Stratford-on-Avon DC has opened a 12-week public consultation on a new draft licensing policy, running until 21 December 2026. The proposed framework, which would run from 2027 to 2032 to replace rules from 2009, introduces major changes to vehicle age limits to give proprietors more flexibility while encouraging greener travel. Under the current policy, vehicles generally cannot be renewed once they are over six years old. The new draft proposes that petrol, diesel, and LPG cars can be licensed until they reach 12 years of age, hybrids up to 15 years, and fully electric or hydrogen zero-emission vehicles will have no age limit at all. The previous requirement for a car to be under three years old when first licensed will be removed. All vehicles will still be subject to strict safety standards, including regular MOTs and council inspections. From 1 January 2027, every licensed taxi and PHV must carry a working card or mobile wallet reader where network coverage allows, display an exterior sign indicating cards are accepted, and charge no payment surcharges. Additional proposals include: l safeguarding training before a licence is granted, refreshed every three years
l disability awareness training refreshed every three years (new drivers already have to take it once)
l DBS Update Service for every driver, with online checks every six months; a driver who doesn’t subscribe gets a six-month licence only, with no refund
l checks against NR3 register l a vaping ban in licensed vehicles l new rules on CCTV and dashcams, and on phones, satnavs and booking apps in the car
l a new convictions and cautions policy to guide officers and the licensing panel
Drivers would pay for the training themselves. Interested parties can review the draft documents here:
https://shorturl.at/TJAsQ.
NOVEMBER 2026 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82
