The Licensing Sub-Committee of Solihull Council scheduled a meeting to discuss and consider feedback on proposed changes to the Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy, with the aim of approving the revised policy for implementation from 1 January 2026. Councillors were also asked to consider responses to a consultation on the policy.

Review of Taxi and Private Hire Policy

The main item for discussion was the review of the Hackney Carriage/Private Hire licensing policy. A six-week consultation on the revised draft policy ran from 23 June to 3 August 2025, via Engagement HQ, the council's consultation platform. According to the Public Reports Pack, 144 responses were received via the platform, with a summary of the results attached as Appendix B - Survey Responses Report 1.

Two further written responses were received by email, one from the council's Education Transport team (TPH Appendix C - education transport) and one from Uber, a private hire operator licensed in Solihull (TPH Appendix D - 2025SolihullConsultationresponseUber_Final).

The Licensing Authority considered all comments and provided a response, which is available in Appendix E - LA response to survey comments FINAL.

Three options were considered with respect to the consultation results:

• Option One: Ignore the responses and implement the revised policy as proposed.
• Option Two: Note all the responses and comments as received and introduce them as part of the policy.
• Option Three: Implement the policy as proposed with amendments, taking into account the comments and feedback without compromising the objective of the proposals or putting the Licensing Authority at risk of challenge.

Option three was recommended, as it was believed to help safeguard the public while also taking into account the Department for Transport's (DfT) statutory standards and best practice guidance¹. It also demonstrates the Licensing Authority's transparency in consultation and consideration of the responses.

The report pack stated that implementing the revised policy requirements from 1 January 2026 should allow sufficient time to suitably prepare for the changes both from a service perspective and to give prospective and existing licence holders enough notice to implement new requirements.

The report pack also set out how the proposals in the report contribute to the priorities in the Council Plan:

• The right conditions for everyone to thrive: N/A
• Services that people need in the right time at the right place: The Licensing Authority can ensure that the policy and conditions are adhered to by all licence holders, and if they are not, robust action can be taken to address any areas of concern. This will instil greater confidence in the travelling public.
• Children and young people have the best possible outcomes: Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing is a statutory requirement of the council, and ensuring it is approached in a robust way helps the general public to understand its importance and how the regime ensures consumer protection.
• Adults are supported to maximise wellbeing and independence: Taxis and private hire services are well used by older adults and those with disabilities and the licensing policy and regime will ensure these groups continue to have access to them and can travel in comfort, safety and feel supported in doing so.
• A vibrant economy with increased access to opportunities: Public transport is key to the growth agenda within the borough and the safety of the public using hackney carriages and private hire vehicles is paramount.
• Opportunities and fairer outcomes by acting on climate change: The proposal to require licence holders to 'upgrade' their vehicle each time will contribute to the council's net zero plans.
• An attractive and aspirational place: N/A

The consultation survey was promoted via social media, the council's 'Stay Connected' channel, on posters with a QR code link within The Core² and also via email to all Operators, key partners and voluntary sector organisations.

The report pack also noted that the safeguarding responsibilities of the licensing authority and licence holders will help the young people in the council's care to have the same life chances as their own children.

The report pack stated that there were no financial implications, but that an applicant or licence holder may request a dispensation from complying with a condition or may appeal against a condition already imposed to the magistrates court. It also noted that any person may challenge the policy through judicial review³.

A Fair Treatment Assessment was scheduled to be completed once the policy was agreed.

The report pack also noted that harmonisation of taxi licensing standards across the West Midlands Combined Authority⁴ (WMCA) is an ongoing piece of work, and that a consultation from Central Government regarding the devolution of taxi licensing responsibilities to local transport authorities is imminent.