Following a hearing on Monday, April 23, Brighton & Hove City Council’s licensing panel has decided against renewing UBER Britannia Ltd’s (UBL) Private Hire Operator Licence in the city.
THE unanimous decision was taken because members of the licensing panel were not satisfied that UBL are a “fit and proper person” to hold an operator’s licence under the terms of Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and the council’s licensing objectives.
The panel considered all circumstances relating to the application and the factors operating in Brighton & Hove. This included a number of issues raised by those objecting to the application, which they found to carry very little or no evidential weight.
The panel had significant concerns about the company’s decision to conceal a data breach affecting 57 million customers and drivers, which resulted in the company paying hackers a ransom of $100,000 (£75,000) in 2016 to delete the data and UBL’s lack of commitment to use only Brighton & Hove licensed drivers in the city. These formed the basis of the decision to not renew the licence.
Chair of the licensing panel, Councillor Jackie O’Quinn, said: “When making Hackney Carriage and Private Hire operator licensing decisions, our priority is the safety of residents and visitors and, due to the data breach and the lack of commitment to using drivers licensed here, we were not satisfied that UBL are a fit and proper person to hold an operator’s licence in the city.
“All Brighton & Hove private hire and Hackney Carriage drivers in the city operate under the same licences and guidelines contained in the Blue Book and undergo the same background checks, whichever company they drive for. In the original application in 2015, UBL gave a firm commitment to adhere to the standards set out in the Blue Book and only to use Brighton & Hove licensed drivers. We do not feel the spirit of this commitment has been kept to. In the panel’s view, large numbers of taxis operating in the city that do not meet our Blue Book standards puts the safety of residents and visitors at potential risk.
“We recognise there are strong feelings on this issue and would like to thank all those who took the time to make submissions to the hearing.”
To read more details on the decision, and the full Uber Britannia Ltd Licensing decision letter, published on the council’s website, click here:
The hearing was held in public to make the process as open and transparent as possible. As well as representatives from UBER, the licensing panel heard views for and against renewing the licence from interested parties, including residents and the local taxi trade.
UBER responded to the decision, saying: “This is a disappointing decision for the thousands of passengers and drivers who rely on our app in Brighton and Hove.
“We intend to appeal this decision. We want to assure you that while this process takes place, UBER will continue to operate as normal in Brighton and Hove.
“Over the past year we have made a series of improvements to the way we operate as a business and partner with the cities we operate in.
“We’re committed to serving the thousands of riders using UBER in Brighton and Hove. We will keep you informed of any developments as and when they happen.”
While UBER appeal the decision, their drivers licensed with Brighton & Hove can continue to operate in the city while the appeal is heard.