The Strategic Licensing Committee of Shropshire Council met on Wednesday 07 October 2026. The meeting's agenda focused on reviewing and updating the council's policies and fees related to hackney carriage and private hire licensing. Key discussions were scheduled around the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for 2027-2031, licensing fees and charges for 2027-2028, and the exercise of delegated powers by licensing officers.

Review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2027 to 2031

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for the period 2027 to 2031. This policy aims to update the existing framework, taking into account changes in national legislation, guidance, and operational experience. The report presented to the committee outlined the purpose of the review, which is to ensure a clear, transparent, and up-to-date licensing framework.

Key proposals within the revised policy include:

• Strengthening safeguarding and public protection arrangements by retaining robust 'fit and proper person' criteria and enhanced checks.
• Incorporating statutory and best practice guidance, including the Department for Transport's Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards and requirements arising from the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022.
• Recognising duties under the Equality Act 2010, particularly concerning passengers with disabilities and wheelchair accessible vehicles.
• Continuing to support improvements in air quality and environmental outcomes through proportionate vehicle age and emissions standards, while balancing trade feedback with public safety, accessibility, affordability, and environmental considerations.

The report detailed the consultation process undertaken, including informal consultations with the trade and a formal 12-week consultation period. Feedback received on specific proposals, such as the mandating of CCTV systems and contactless payments in vehicles, was summarised. The policy also addresses concerns raised regarding vehicle age and emissions standards, aiming to balance environmental objectives with the financial challenges faced by drivers and proprietors. The committee was asked to endorse the proposed policy for onward consideration and final approval.

Licensing Fees and Charges 2027 - 2028

The committee was also scheduled to consider proposed revisions to licensing fees and charges for the financial year 2027-2028. The report detailed statutory fees that Shropshire Council is required to charge under various acts, including the Licensing Act 2003, the Gambling Act 2005, and explosives and fireworks legislation.

For licences where the authority has discretion to determine fees, such as those for hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, operators, and drivers, revised proposals were presented. These proposals were based on a detailed review of administrative, investigative, monitoring, and enforcement costs associated with the licensing procedures. The report highlighted the council's aim to recover reasonable and proportionate costs, ensuring that fees are not used to finance other council services.

The report also included a breakdown of the total costs and income for the licensing service in 2025/26, indicating an overall deficit. The proposed fees for 2027/28 aimed to address these deficits and redistribute surpluses where appropriate, with specific appendices detailing the proposed fees for various licence types, including those related to public health, animals, scrap metal, sex establishments, street trading, explosives, fireworks, and gambling activities. A specific policy for Relevant Protected Sites fees was also presented for agreement.

Exercise of Delegated Powers Report

Finally, the committee received a report detailing the exercise of delegated powers by licensing officers between 1 February 2026 and 31 August 2026. This report provided information on licences issued or varied under delegated authority, as well as a summary of applications considered by relevant sub-committees during that period. The report aimed to ensure transparency and Member oversight of licensing activity, demonstrating that decisions are made consistently and lawfully in accordance with council policy and statutory requirements. The report indicated that a significant number of taxi licensing applications were processed under delegated powers, with a smaller number of cases being referred to the Licensing and Safety Sub-Committee or Licensing Act Sub-Committee.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as receiving apologies for absence, approving minutes of previous meetings, and addressing disclosable pecuniary interests and public question time. The date of the next scheduled meeting was also noted.