Uber is 'not banned' in seaside city, says council

Uber have "never been banned in Southend", the leader of the city council said, after the company decided to hand back its licence to operate there.

Daniel Cowan said the driver hailing app service gave "no specific reason" for returning its licence last month, having only been awarded it in December.

An Uber spokesperson told the BBC: "We have taken the decision to revisit our launch in Southend while the council reviews their taxi and private hire policy."

However, senior councillors said there was no major review taking place.

Cowan, Labour, said the council was in the process of reviewing its policy but it had nothing to do with Uber. The leader told the BBC "I would be surprised if there is any dramatic shift" in conditions for local private hire drivers.

Martin Terry, Independent cabinet member for community safety, added: "The idea of us reviewing our licensing is rather spurious. If they wanted to work with us, the door is open."

It is understood that Uber were not happy with some of the rules it needed to follow in order to operate in Southend. The company has been approached for further comment.

Some details were said to be commercially sensitive.

Terry said: "We do hold high standards and set a number of conditions on them. They are the same conditions local taxi firms have."

As part of the licence being granted, Uber drivers were required to display official Southend PHV door stickers, pass the city's stringent knowledge test, complete safeguarding training, and undergo enhanced DBS and medical checks.

Uber was also required to notify the council within 72 hours of any serious complaint, including allegations of misconduct or substance misuse.

The company could have appealed the conditions in the licence, but did not.

Uber drivers can still drop off passengers in Southend having picked them up from outside of the city.

Both Cowan and Terry said they would welcome a new service and competition, adding that local people had complained about long taxi waiting times.

Uber has carried out its own consultation on operating in Southend which it is now analysing, and it expects to present its findings to the council's licensing committee in the future.

In 2018, there was local political opposition to Uber and the company did not apply for a licence, before eventually deciding to last year.

An Uber spokesperson added: "We're keen to work with local drivers in the future and we hope to continue constructive discussions with the council."

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