Have your say on council’s taxi and private hire policy.

Rochford District Council Licensing team have launched a consultation on their Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy and want to hear from users of the services.

The licensing policy sets out the council’s general approach to regulating taxi and private hire services in the Rochford District. The primary concern is public safety and, through this policy, the aim is to both reduce potential risks associated with taxi and private hire services and provide transparency and consistency for anyone with an interest.

In July 2020 the Department for Transport issued new Statutory Guidance on Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards focusing on the role of taxi licensing powers and enhanced regulation in protecting children and vulnerable adults. The guidance sets out core minimum standards that all licensing authorities are expected to meet in order to further safeguard vulnerable passengers, increase safety for the travelling public in general and comply with the statutory guidance changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy are proposed.

Rochford District Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance, Cllr Mrs Cheryl Roe said: “It’s important that we get the views from those people who use these services.

“These standards are an important first step in reforming the way the taxi (HC) and private hire vehicle (PHV) sector is regulated and should ensure consistent standards between licensing authorities”.

To comment on our consultation, please visit : https://www.rochford.gov.uk/taxi-and-private-hire-consultation