Public to help set taxi policy

Manchester residents are being asked for their views on how Manchester City Council decides to license black cabs in the city.

There are currently 1,032 black cabs in Manchester, and the City Council gives out a number of new licence plates each year, based on an independent review into taxi numbers carried out every three years.

However, the City Council is now looking into whether to change this system, and is asking Manchester residents for their views.

Meanwhile, the city's businesses, along with black cab and private hire drivers across Manchester, are also being asked for their opinions.

Councillor Richard Cowell, Manchester City Council's executive member for the environment, said: "We're carrying out this review to make sure the way we allocate taxi licence plates meets the needs of the city and is fair to everyone.

"We also need to make sure the system is easy to understand, is simple and efficient. We're asking as many people as possible for their views, and this includes Manchester residents as well as businesses and taxi drivers themselves."

The public consultation will last until September 29. Members of the public who wants to give their views should visit:

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/forms/form/480/hackney_carriage_licence_allocation-public_consultation