The Licensing Committee of Carmarthenshire Council met on Wednesday 27 May 2026 to review and update policies relating to hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, drivers, and operators. The committee also considered applications for individual driver's licences, which were discussed in private.

Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Policies

The committee reviewed and agreed to move forward with proposed updates to the policies governing hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, drivers, and operators. These changes aim to harmonise licensing standards across Wales, drawing on recommendations from a Welsh Government document published in July 2021, which followed the 2018 white paper 'Improving Public Transport'. The aim is to improve consistency, increase public safety, and enhance customer service.

Key changes include:

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks: Drivers will be required to join the DBS Update Service and undergo checks every six months.
• Medical Standards: A Group 2 medical standard will be adopted for drivers.
• Convictions Policy: The Institute of Licensing (IOL) Convictions Policy will be adopted. This policy provides guidance for members when considering applicants with previous convictions, offering recommendations on whether to grant or refuse a licence.
• Consolidated Policy Document: All supplementary policies and conditions related to taxi and private hire licensing will be consolidated into a single document to simplify the process for applicants and licensees.

Justin Power, Senior Licensing Officer, explained that while the aim is to standardise conditions across Wales, local standards, such as age policies, will be retained. He noted that the proposed changes formalise practices that have been gradually introduced over recent years, such as DBS checks and medicals. The committee was informed that a policy document would be presented for consultation in the coming months. Councillor Ken Howell raised a question about individuals licensing in Carmarthenshire while residing elsewhere, but it was clarified that while applications cannot be refused based on residency, vehicles must be predominantly used within the licensing authority's area, and applicants must still meet all standard checks.

Applications for Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Dual Driver's Licences

The committee resolved to exclude the public from the remainder of the meeting to consider applications relating to individual drivers. This decision was made because the reports contained exempt information relating to particular individuals, as defined by the Local Government Act 1972. The webcast was stopped at this point. The agenda indicated that applications for Mr Abdullah Mohamed, Mr Francisc Eduard Vu-Van, Mr Gareth Laurence Williams, and Mr Rhydian Steffan David Bowen were to be considered.

Confirmation of Previous Minutes

The committee formally approved the minutes from previous meetings of Licensing Sub-Committee A (held on 10 March 2026), Licensing Sub-Committee B (held on 2 April 2026), and the main Licensing Committee (held on 20 January 2026). These minutes were signed as a correct record.