CUSTOMERS should insist on taxis licensed in Stockton, a council leader has said, amid controversy over hundreds of cabs being licensed in Wolverhampton.

The comments were made at a meeting of Stockton Council’s Cabinet on Thursday as members discussed changes to regulations enforced in Stockton.

But once again the conversation moved to the controversial practice of private hire and Hackney Carriages operating in Teesside being licensed in Wolverhampton. A Stockton Council report on the subject has said Wolverhampton’s requirements are “less stringent” than Stockton’s. “For example, new applicants require a full DVLA licence held for 12 months before grant,” the report said.

“Also Wolverhampton licensed vehicles complete an annual MOT only for vehicles under ten years old, as opposed to this authority which requires an annual MOT plus biannual vehicle compliance tests.”

Wolverhampton Council denies the safety concerns from Teesside – with the leader of its own licensing committee declaring its system “the best in the country”.

But on Thursday, Stockton Council leader, Cllr Bob Cook, called on members of the public to insist that cab companies send them a taxi licensed in Stockton.

“I think a lot publicity has been made about Wolverhampton giving licenses out to anyone who seems to apply,” he said. “That’s an issue that affects not just Stockton Council but all the Tees Valley councils.

“I’m assuming that those who issue the licences have to enforce the regulations. It would be rather difficult for a taxi company or a mini-cab that’s licensed in Wolverhampton for them to come and enforce any regulations. If people want to get a taxi that’s licensed by this authority, they should be asking the taxi companies to only send a mini-cab that’s licensed by Stockton Council – so at least the regulations are enforceable.

“Is that something we should be going out and telling the general public that if they want taxis enforceable by the local council they should ask for a cab licensed in Stockton?”

Council officer, Margaret Waggott agreed. “We regularly receive complaints about the taxis that are licensed by Wolverhampton,” she said. “And indeed they are passed on to Wolverhampton to look at because that’s not something in Stockton we have the ability to enforce against."

Cabinet members went on to recommend a number of changes to Stockton Council’s current Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy. Changes include reducing the number of time applicants need to have had a driving licence from three years to 12 months – bringing Stockton in line with other Teesside councils – and altering the rules to allow factory fitted tinted windows.

Stockton Council will consider the recommendations on Wednesday.