Taxi Driver Online

Interesting, and I can't recall anything similar. But very little to go on here

And these policy changes can encompass a huge range of issues like vehicle spec, inspection and testing, and driver conduct and requirements for new badges.

'Judicial review' would be an obvious avenue to challenge various councils on this, that and the next aspect of what they do.

But potentially a very expensive exercise, so only for those with very deep pockets. Which ain't me


Legal challenge over revised taxi-licensing policy for Buckinghamshire

https://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/peop ... re-8840246

A revised taxi-licensing policy due to take effect across Buckinghamshire is facing a legal challenge.

Buckinghamshire Council has received a claim for judicial review concerning “certain aspects” of its revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy.

The policy was approved by the council on March 19 and is scheduled to be implemented on September 1.

The authority is defending the claim, although the published report does not identify the claimant or specify which aspects of the policy are being challenged.

A report to the council’s Licensing Committee states: “As the matter is subject to ongoing legal proceedings, it is not appropriate to comment further at this stage.

“No determination has been made by the Court as at the date of this report and the Policy remains scheduled for implementation on September 1, 2026, unless directed otherwise by the Court.”

Council officers are continuing preparations for the policy’s introduction while the legal proceedings remain unresolved.

The work includes communicating with the licensed trade and other stakeholders, training and briefing staff, updating administrative processes and systems and undertaking any necessary procurement activity.

Guidance, application documents and online information are also being reviewed to help ensure the policy is applied fairly and consistently.

Future enforcement reports will monitor the practical effects of the amended policy areas on service delivery, compliance activity and available performance data.

Asked for further details about the legal challenge, the council said: “As legal proceedings are ongoing, it would not be appropriate for the council to comment further at this stage beyond the information already contained in the published Licensing Committee report (2.46).”

Going back twenty years, it cost Chester Licensed Hackney Association over £30,000 for their ill fated Judicial review request regarding the way the LA had arrived at the decision to de-restrict. Allowing for inflation, I’m not sure there would be much change out of £50,000 ?

The Challenge is by the Saloon Hackney carriage vehicle owners to be able to retain their grandfather rights
As when the new council was formed in September 2021 it was agreed any Existing Wheelchair will remain wheelchair
Any existing Saloon covered by grandfather rights will remain Saloon
& any Additional New Hackney carriage will be Wheelchair.
But now the council has gone back on their word & after 1st September any replacement Hackney carriage even if covered by grandfather rights will have to be Wheelchair.

If the council has gone back on what it had agreed I would think there are good grounds.

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Previous legacy Council Areas had different rules
1. Aylesbury Vale: Fully 100% Wheelchair accessible Limitation policy in place @ 50
2. Wycombe: Pre deregulation HC saloon with grandfather rights. New HC has to be Wheelchair No Limit
3. South Bucks: HC saloon with grandfather rights. New HC wheelchair no Limit
4. Chiltern: HC saloon with grandfather rights New HC wheelchair no limit

But South Bucks & Chiltern had no Wheelchair HC as no New HC was issued due to it being rural areas people didn’t find it viable to purchase a wheelchair even to get a free plate.

Now 5 Years after new council was formed they want Fully 100% Wheelchair Accessible & to get rid of the grandfather rights!

It's an interesting challenge, and I wish the trade well.

Clearly, a Judicial review is an expensive way forward.

I wonder if a better and cheaper way to deal with this is for the first person affected to appeal the condition at the magistrates' court.

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IDFIMH

Looking at the current devolution issue in the Buckinghamshire area, it seems they don't want to merge with anyone; however, the government wants them to join up with others to form a Thames Valley zone.

If the government follows through, it will be down to the new Mayor to decide on such matters, and one would imagine any candidate for Mayor would be very wise to support the Bucks trade against this loony proposal.

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IDFIMH

It’s a Joint association All the HC Saloon drivers got together over 200

No you are wrong!
The Buckinghamshire Council was formed into 1 Zone council in 2021 which was made up of 4 different councils.
Theirs no such thing on the tables as a Thames valley zone.

I was just quoting stuff from this article from the Local Government Cronicle.

https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/devolu ... 8-02-2026/

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IDFIMH

I know that your legal team will be aware of this expression, but it's a legal term that you and your colleagues need to repeat time and time again.

The term is 'legitimate expectation'.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/a ... al-review-

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IDFIMH