Horsham licensed private hire operator suspended for two weeks after breaking subcontracting rules
- Perry Richardson
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
A private hire operator licensed by Horsham District Council has had its operator licence suspended for two weeks after councillors found it had unlawfully subcontracted dozens of bookings to a driver licensed by another authority.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the council’s Licensing Sub Committee on 6 November 2024, held to review whether the operator remained a fit and proper person to hold a private hire operator licence. The committee resolved to suspend the licence after concluding that the operator had breached statutory taxi licensing requirements.
Councillors heard that between March and August 2024 the operator had booked and subcontracted 87 journeys to a private hire driver licensed by a different licensing authority. Officers said this arrangement was contrary to the Deregulation Act 2015 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, specifically provisions governing the licensing of vehicles, drivers and operators and the rules on subcontracting.
The Licensing Officer told the committee that Horsham’s private hire policy requires any vehicle dispatched by a licensed operator, and the driver of that vehicle, to be licensed by the same authority as the operator. The report set out the background to the breaches and the circumstances that led to the licence review.
Licensing sub-committee finds breaches of taxi legislation but rules operator remains fit and proper
The operator attended the hearing and explained how the subcontracting occurred, answering questions from councillors. Members were told that, since the matter was identified, the business had introduced improved booking procedures and had strengthened its understanding of licensing conditions. The operator assured the panel that public safety was now central to its operations and that all drivers used were providing evidence of licensing by Horsham District Council.
After considering the evidence, relevant law and council policy, the sub-committee concluded that public safety must remain paramount and that licensing rules exist to maintain confidence in the local taxi and private hire trade. Members decided that a suspension, rather than revocation, was appropriate in the circumstances.
The licence was suspended for a period of two weeks, which councillors said would act as both a punitive measure and a learning period, allowing the operator to embed new practices and ensure full compliance with the requirement that drivers, vehicles and operators are licensed by the same authority.
The committee stated that the suspension was proportionate and reasonable and confirmed that the operator was still considered fit and proper to hold a licence.
