The Strategic Licensing Committee of Shropshire Council was scheduled to discuss the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for 2027 to 2031, as well as proposed changes to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Fees for 2026-2027. The committee was also set to review a report on the exercise of delegated powers by licensing officers.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2027 to 2031

The committee was scheduled to consider the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for the period of 2027 to 2031. This policy document, which spans over 200 pages, outlines the principles, processes, and conditions for licensing hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, and their operators within Shropshire. The report details the legislative framework governing these activities, including the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Key areas covered in the policy include:

• Licensing Principles and Process: This section details how the council will administer licence applications, review current licences, and set fees and charges. It also outlines the roles of the Strategic Licensing Committee, the Licensing and Safety Sub-committee, and licensing officers.
• Licensable Activities: The policy provides specific requirements for hackney carriage and private hire drivers, hackney carriages, standard private hire vehicles, executive private hire vehicles, novelty private hire vehicles, and private hire operators. This includes detailed criteria for determining if an applicant is a fit and proper person, criminal record disclosures, right to work checks, and HMRC tax checks.
• Vehicle Specifications: For hackney carriages and private hire vehicles, the policy sets out requirements for emissions, age restrictions, safety standards (including NCAP ratings), and specific conditions for wheelchair accessible vehicles. It also details requirements for vehicle maintenance, insurance, and the use of taximeters.
• Driver Requirements: Drivers are subject to stringent requirements, including enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, medical examinations, language proficiency tests, and mandatory safeguarding and disability awareness training.
• Operator Responsibilities: Private hire operators are responsible for ensuring their drivers and vehicles comply with licensing conditions, maintaining accurate records of bookings and staff, and implementing robust safeguarding policies.
• Compliance and Enforcement: This section outlines the council's approach to ensuring compliance with licensing regulations, including how complaints will be handled and the enforcement actions that may be taken.

The report highlights that the existing policy came into effect on 1 April 2023 and requires updating to reflect changes in guidance and legislation. The proposed policy aims to embed ongoing improvements in licensing practices and procedures to strengthen the application process and provide a foundation for robust enforcement. The report recommends that the Strategic Licensing Committee agree to formal consultation on the proposed policy for no less than 12 weeks, commencing from 6 April 2026.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Fees 2026 - 2027

The committee was scheduled to consider proposed variations to the fees for driver, hackney carriage, private hire vehicle, and operator licences for the financial year 2026-2027. The report details that a consultation on these proposed fees was conducted between 12 January 2026 and 8 February 2026. During this period, five objections were received. One objection requested a freeze on fee increases for one to two years, while the other four objected to any increase in the proposed fees.

The report explains that the council has a duty under Section 70 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to publish proposed fees for hackney carriage, private hire vehicles, and operators' licences to allow for objections. The council's fees are set on a cost-recovery basis, covering administrative costs, background checks, and monitoring compliance, but excluding enforcement costs against unlicensed operators. The report notes that the proposed fee increases are linked to additional resources directed towards safeguarding and increased compliance checks.

The proposed fees, detailed in Appendix B, differentiate between standard, novelty, and executive private hire vehicles, and include joint fees for hackney carriage and private hire drivers that incorporate the safeguarding awareness course at a reduced rate. The report recommends that the committee consider the objections received and agree to implement the proposed fee variations, with any necessary modifications, effective from 1 April 2026.

Exercise of Delegated Powers Report

The committee was also scheduled to review a report detailing licences issued and variations made between 1 September 2025 and 31 January 2026, along with a summary of applications considered by the committee. This report provides information on the work undertaken by the Licensing Team and the committee, including licences granted, refused, suspended, or revoked under delegated powers. The report indicates that during this period, a significant number of licences were processed, with officers utilising delegated powers for various licensing decisions, including refusals, suspensions, and revocations where applications did not meet policy criteria and no exceptional circumstances were demonstrated. The report concludes that the Licensing Team has maintained a high workload and continued to process applications efficiently.