Four Taxi and Private Hire Associations raise concerns over information provided by council officers

Four taxi and private hire drivers’ associations in York have expressed their concerns,through a complaint, about information given by the council to the licensing authority in relation to how Uber operates.

York’s Independent Taxi Association, Hackney Carriage Association, Private Hire Association and Station Taxis Association raise concerns over information provided by council officers to a licensing meeting in February, calling it " misinformation." As reported by Minster FM, the complaint claims the advice was insufficient for councillors to make a fully-informed decision over issues relating to the way Uber operates. The complaint document says “We would like a public statement and acknowledgement regarding all the misinformation that was presented at the meeting to clarify for the viewing and listening public, the elected members and the trade, the points which are accurate and those which are not.” A spokesperson for City of York Council said: “City of York Council recently took a report to its Licensing committee on 11 February to present its position regarding the interpretation of the law relating to private hire licensing and the ability to work outside the area within which they are licensed. We have been clear on our position on this.” The council spokeswoman added it was not immediately treating the matter as a formal complaint because it was not about an alleged breach of council rules, rather the work of officers and their interpretation of legislation, which the council supported and stood by. It will be considered though, she added.