To receive apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adam Fejfer, Nick Hignett, Alan Holford, Nigel Lumby and Vicky Moore    

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record

20.1      The minutes of the meeting held on the 8 October 2025 had been circulated

20.2      RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2026 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 12 noon on Thursday 5 March 2026

21.1    There were no public questions

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

22.2    There were no declarations made

Report of the Transactional Management and Licensing Manager is attached.

Contact: Mandy Beever (01743 251702)

23.1    Members received the report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager which set out the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2027 to 2031 (the Policy) upon which the Council proposes to consult.

23.2    The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager reminded Members that the policy had to be reviewed every four years and had been updated to take account of changes in national guidance and legislation.  She added that there was requirement to consult on the proposed policy with the taxi trade and that a 12 week consultation was proposed after which a report would be brought back to the Committee to confirm the policy.

23.3    RESOLVED:

          That the Strategic Licensing Committee agree for formal consultation to be undertaken on the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for no less than 12 weeks to commence from 6 April 2026. 

Report of the Transactional Management and Licensing Manager is attached.

Contact: Mandy Beever (01743 251702)

24.1    Members received the report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager which set out the objections to be considered by the Strategic Licensing Committee in respect of the variations proposed to the fees in relation to driver, hackney carriage, private hire vehicle and operator licences.  The report aims to enable the Committee to determine the fees that will take effect from 1 April 2026.

24.2    The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager reminded Members that the draft fees had been considered at the last meeting and a period of consultation had taken place.  She added that the responses received and the response from Officers were included in the report.

24.3    A Member commented that he had received complaints regarding the number of drivers from outside the county.  The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager explained that the current rules had arisen from the Deregulation Act 2015 and there was little that could be done.

24.4    A Member commented that there were a number of comments around the differences in fees charged by Wolverhampton Council.  The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager advised that the disparity arose around the way the charge was calculated in that the fee for Wolverhampton only covered the licence application and there were other costs that had to be borne by the applicant such a DBS check, knowledge tests and safeguarding training which were all included in the fee that Shropshire charged.

24.5    RESOLVED:

That the Committee, in accordance with the provisions of Section 70 (5) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, considers the objections received, together with associated officer comments, as set out in Appendix A, following the legally prescribed objection process that was undertaken in respect of the variations proposed to the fees in relation to driver, hackney carriage, private hire vehicle and operator licences and agrees, with any further modifications if necessary, to implement the variations proposed to the fees as set out in Appendix B with effect from 1 April 2026, this being a date not later than 2 months after the 9 February 2026. 

Report of the Transactional Management and Licensing Manager is attached.

Contact: Mandy Beever (01743 251702)

25.1    Members received the report of the Transactional and Licensing Team Manager which set out details of work carried out by the licencing team during the period 1 September 2025 to 31 January 2026

25.2    The Transactional and Licensing Team Manager reminded Members that this report was brought to every meeting and that it set out the levels of work of the Licencing Team.

25.3    RESOLVED

That members note the position as set out in the report

To note that the next scheduled meeting of the Strategic Licensing Committee will be held on Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 10.00am

26.1    Members were advised that the next scheduled meeting of the Strategic Licensing Committee will be held on Wednesday 24 June 2026 at 10.00am