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In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Special/General Licensing Committees held on the following dates be agreed as a correct records: 1) 19 September 2025 2) 26 September 2025 3) 3 October 2025
The Team Leader, Licensing presented a report which sought consideration of the introduction of the revised Suitability Guidance, to assist in determining the suitability of taxi and private hire applicants and licence holders, by the City and County of Swansea. The Committee noted the process and outcome of a consultation regarding the adoption of revised guidance for determining the suitability of applicants and licensees in the hackney carriage and private hire trades. The consultation was conducted online from 27th May to 29th June 2025, targeting licence holders and the general public, but received a low response rate of 3.6%. Few comments were relevant, and a proposal is made for Members to consider introducing the revised guidance. If approved, the new guidance will take effect from 1st December 2025, applying to new applications and disciplinary actions for existing licence holders thereafter. There was a discussion regarding dealing with non-disclosure of convictions and interpretation of some of the guidance points. Officers stated that the document had been produced by the Institute of Licensing (and endorsed by the Welsh Government) with a national roll out to local authorities. Modifying any of the guidance points would be inconsistent with other local authorities. Resolved that: 1) The introduction of the revised “Suitability Guidance - Guidance on determining the suitability of applicants and licensees in the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Trades” be approved and take effect from 1st December 2025.
The Chair welcomed Andrew Douglas, Manager of the Business Improvement District (BID) and Miss Clare Johnson, UNITE. The Team Leader, Licensing, presented a report which sought consideration of the responses to the consultation on the proposed introduction of mandatory card payment facilities in hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles, licensed by Swansea Council. Implementing this proposal would require all proprietors to make payment by debit card, credit card or contactless payment available to all passengers Those proprietors who currently take cash could continue to do so, providing they also give passengers the option to pay by card. The Committee noted that following a consultation between 27 May and 29 June 2025 (which received 417 responses from licence holders, the public, and interest groups) 82% supported the proposal, mainly citing convenience, safety, and modern expectations. Some concerns were raised about costs, technical issues, and preference for cash. Most respondents also supported mandatory driver training on card systems and prompt repairs to payment devices. As a result, it was recommended that all taxi proprietors offer card payment options from 1st December 2025, with existing licence holders subject to the new rules upon their next renewal after that date. In response to Member questions, Officers stated that an addendum had been made to the minutes of the General Licensing Committee held on 10 January 2025, confirming that for the consultation, a note was added online specifying that all proprietors must accept debit, credit, and contactless card payments. Proprietors currently accepting cash may continue, but must also offer card payment options. This addendum could be used as a preface to any related conditions if the proposal is approved. In response to questions by Miss Johnson, Unite, Officers stated that: · should a payment system fail and require fixing or replacing, action must be taken within 48 hours. If a complaint arises because someone could not pay by card due to a faulty machine, an investigation would check for evidence that the vehicle owner or driver attempted to fix or replace the system within the required timeframe. They may continue to work while the issue is being resolved, provided reasonable steps are shown to address the problem. · While many taxis already accept card payments, concerns remain about drivers requesting advance payments, especially from passengers who may be intoxicated. The point stressed is that such advance payments should only be a reasonable proportion of the fare, not the full amount, to avoid issues with refunds or exceeding the council agreed maximum tariff. The practice of asking for money upfront can cause delays, regardless of whether cash or cards are used. Mr Douglas, Manager, BID, referred to the turnaround time for replacing broken card machines and the issue of prepayment slowing down the taxi rank. The Committee heard that most card payment providers offer 24/7 support, with some offering free machine replacements for drivers. Although prepayment may slow the process, the current situation (where many cars do not accept cards) already caused delays. He stated that if all cars accepted card payments, there would be little negative impact. He reiterated the importance of informing drivers that both card and cash payments are accepted, as cash remains necessary for certain reasons. The Chair thanked Mr Douglas and Miss Johnson and Officers for their contribution. Resolved that: 1) the introduction of mandatory card payment facilities in hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles, licensed by Swansea Council, effective from 1st December 2025 be approved; 2) the following conditions are added to the existing hackney carriage and private hire vehicle conditions, from 1st December 2025: 3) The following sentence to be emboldened: The proprietor must ensure that payment by debit card, credit card or contactless payment is made available to all passengers. 4) The proprietor shall ensure that all drivers of the vehicle are aware that payment by debit card, credit card or contactless payment must be made available to all passengers and are trained on how to use the card payment system. 5) Where a fault in the card payment system is identified, the proprietor must arrange repairs/replacement within 48 hours. 6) those proprietors who currently take cash payments would continue to do so under these proposals provided that they also give passengers the option to pay by card.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
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