Members of the Planning and Regulation Panel today (Tuesday 26th March) agreed proposals for a consultation exercise that will assess whether changes are required to Stirling’s taxi and private hire licensing framework, to ensure it best meets local needs in 2019 and into the future.
The consultation will seek to engage the public, taxi service users, affected licence holders (including the Taxi Association) and other relevant stakeholders such as Community Councils, disability groups, student representatives, transport providers and Police Scotland.
The consultation will inform the Council’s assessment of whether it should maintain a limit on taxi vehicle licence numbers, and whether it requires to modernise the vehicle specifications for taxi and/or private hire vehicles licensed in the area.
It was agreed that officers will report back to the Panel on the results of the consultation no later than September 2019.
Convenor of the Planning and Regulation Panel, Councillor Alasdair MacPherson, said: “It’s vital that there is wide reaching consultation during this process, which will include Council roads officers, as it’s crucial that there is sufficient taxi rank provision if there is to be any future changes to current policy.
“A successful local taxi and private hire licensing regime is essential for the people of Stirling and it is important that we take the right decisions now to ensure the future of taxi provision is both secure, sustainable and prosperous.”
Vice Convenor of the Planning and Regulation Panel, Councillor Chris Kane, said: “Taxis are an important part of Stirling’s communities and we are committed to regulations that will provide a safe, reliable and accessible service that is of benefit to all of our citizens.”