Warwick Crown Court uphold District Council decision

Last week, Tuesday 1 June, Stratford-on-Avon District Council successfully defended Mr Jeremy Slater-Brown's appeal against the District Council's alleged refusal to renew his Hackney Carriage licence at Warwick Crown Court upholding a previous court hearing decision at Rugby Magistrates Court at the beginning of the year.

Mr Slater-Brown had submitted his Hackney Carriage renewal application after the licence had already expired.  Warwick Crown Court ruled that the District Council had acted properly in not considering the late application and had no choice but to indicate that the late application could not be accepted as the licence had already expired therefore there was no licence to consider.

The Court did not amend the £4,000 costs order against Mr Slater-Brown from the earlier hearing and awarded a further £1,000 costs in respect of the Crown Court hearing.

Michelle Baird, Licensing Manager at Stratford District Council said: "This case serves as a timely reminder to taxi drivers to submit renewal applications on time.  The District Council does give ample time and notice for taxi licence renewals, writing to licence holders eight weeks before the licence expires, as well as including a condition on the taxi licences we grant urging proprietors to submit renewal applications 28 days before expiry of the licence."

"This case confirms that the District Council's hands are tied if renewal applications are submitted after the expiry of the licence."