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Southampton Taxi Forum

The purpose of the Taxi Forum is defined as:

  • A two-way exchange of information, dialogue and discussion
  • To hear views, comments and concerns of the trade
  • To receive information, comments, and concerns of the Licensing Team, Members and the council as a whole
  • Not a decision making forum
  • Where matters are of a particular concern and with the approval of the Chair, matters raised can be referred to the Licensing Committee where a formal decision can be made

It should be borne in mind that consultation does not necessarily mean agreement with and that consultation meetings cannot be decision making meetings.

The forum is attended by:

  • Licensing Councillors
  • Council officers
  • Representatives elected by the trade
  • Representatives representing groups of the taxi trade that meet the criteria below
  • Relevant guests of the chair

The criteria a group need to demonstrate is as follows:

  1. The group is identifiable (named)
  2. Provide contact details of the group (email at least)
  3. Have a minimum of 30 members
  4. Provide an adequate group constitution or rule book
  5. Have a process to communicate effectively with their membership
  6. Hold at least two meetings per year
  7. Hold notes/minutes of all meetings
  8. Have a process to elect the representative to attend the consultation meetings, including a substitute
  9. Have a process for the group to agree items to be proposed for the consultation meetings

Additionally operators who operate more than 25 vehicles will be accepted. They will need to demonstrate how they will communicate with the other operators and their drivers and proprietors, as well as demonstrate how they agree who will represent them at the meeting.

These checks for groups will be completed at least two weeks prior to the first meeting under this regime and two weeks before any new member is considered and annually from the anniversary date of the first meeting under this regime.

Groups wishing to take part are to submit evidence demonstrating all of the above to the Licensing Team who will approve the application, any they consider that do not meet the criteria will be brought to the attention of the Chair/Licensing Committee who will decide.

There will be two elected trade representatives, one who holds a current private hire licence, whether it is as an operator, proprietor or driver and one who currently holds a hackney carriage licence, whether it is a vehicle or driver licence. Licensing will arrange an election for these posts every three years.

The Licensing Team will prepare brief notes of the meeting, amounting to the topic discussed, the key bullet points discussed and any actions. We are not provided with meeting support so cannot commit to full minutes.

Forum Members

Previous Meeting Notes