Barnsley Council targets cross border private hire non-compliance as taxi checks and CCTV rollout advance
- Perry Richardson
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Barnsley Council has increased its oversight of the taxi and private hire sector following a recent multi agency enforcement exercise and the completion of a new CCTV pilot across licensed vehicles. The latest measures form part of the authority’s effort to address safety risks and inconsistent standards linked to out of area operators working within the borough.
Council officials joined South Yorkshire Police, enforcement teams from Wolverhampton, Kirklees, Sheffield and Leeds, and the chair and vice chair of licensing for a cross border compliance operation earlier this month. The checks were focused on drivers and vehicles licensed elsewhere but operating in Barnsley, an issue that continues to cause concern among licensing bodies due to varying rules, inspection regimes and conditions across England.
According to the council, 55 vehicles and drivers were stopped during the operation, with only 10 licensed locally. Eight compliance notices were issued for a range of issues.
The council has also completed the installation stage of its CCTV pilot for hackney carriage vehicles. The scheme, approved in April 2024 and funded through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Transport Innovation Fund, covers in-cab and passenger-facing cameras. It is designed to support both safeguarding and evidence gathering in the event of complaints or incidents. Barnsley confirmed that remaining funds would allow the offer to be extended to private hire vehicles undertaking home to school contracts on behalf of the council.
Council steps up oversight of out of area drivers while moving ahead with on-board CCTV requirements.
As part of the trial, licensing policy and conditions are now being updated to reflect a move towards making CCTV mandatory in the relevant vehicles. The authority described the introduction of camera systems as a significant step in improving confidence among passengers and providing drivers with additional protection while working.
With national debate ongoing around cross border working, enforcement capacity and minimum licensing rules, local authorities are under pressure to ensure their own systems are robust enough to manage vehicles operating beyond their issuing area.
Cllr Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “Keeping people safe is at the heart of what we do, and these two pieces of work show our ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards across Barnsley’s taxi and private hire sector. By strengthening our policies and continuing to work closely with our partners, we’re making sure Barnsley remains a safe place for both passengers and drivers of licensed vehicles.”
