The council has launched a consultation on new draft policies for how it licences taxi and private hire vehicles, operators, and drivers.

Bromsgrove District Council has been reviewing its existing policies in response to government guidance issued last year called the ‘Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards’.

All councils responsible for licensing taxis have a legal duty to do this.

Proposed changes include new applicants undertaking mandatory safeguarding training, and licence holders registering with the DBS update service making it easier for the council to find out if they receive any criminal convictions.

Vice Chairman of the council’s Licensing Committee, Cllr Peter Whittaker, said: “This latest review of our policies will help us ensure that we are supporting taxi and private hire drivers and their passengers to be safe and feel confident during their journeys.

“I hope members of the public and people from the taxi trade will take the time to fill out this survey, the results of which will be considered as part of the decision-making process.”

Full details of the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy can be found at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/consultations, where there is also an online consultation survey to complete.

This consultation is open for responses until 3rd September 2021.