A REVIEW of its taxi licensing policy has nothing to do with what has been taking place in other authorities, heard a meeting of Craven District Council.

A consultation is currently taking place until September 2 on a proposed new policy for the licensing of taxis - including hackney carriages and private hire drivers, vehicles, and operators.

Cllr Simon Myers, chairman of the licensing committee, told the full council meeting that he had been approached by taxi drivers concerned about the reasoning behind the consultation.

The taxi service was a very important one and the council had a responsibility to protect both drivers and customers, he said.

"I got stopped by a member of the taxi trade who asked if this was not the result of anything that has happened in other authorities. That is nothing to do with what we are doing in Craven. We have not had a review for several years, it is our own policy we are concerned about, " he said.

The full draft policy document and appendices are available to view online at: cravendc.gov.uk/licensingpolicy. Comments can be emailed to taxiconsultation@cravendc.gov.uk or sent in writing to Licensing Consultation, Craven District Council, Belle Vue Square, Broughton Road, Skipton, BD23 1FJ. The deadline for comments is September 2. It is hoped the new policy will be in place from the start of next year.