The Reigate and Banstead Borough Council are scheduled to meet on Thursday 25 September 2025. The agenda includes a motion of no confidence in the Leader of the Council, recommendations from the Executive and the Licensing & Regulatory Committee, and a review of taxi and private hire licensing policies. Councillors will also consider questions from members, and hear statements and announcements from the Leader of the Council and the Mayor.

Motion of No Confidence

A motion of no confidence in Councillor Richard Biggs, The Leader of the Council, has been proposed by Councillor Jonathan Essex, Green Group Leader, and seconded by Councillor Stephen Kulka, Liberal Democrat Group Leader. The motion states:

This Council notes that:

At the full council meeting held on 25th May 2023, council agreed to appoint Councillor Richard Biggs as leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council for a 4-year period.

This Council agrees that:

Since that time we believe Councillor Richard Biggs has lost significant support, with a reduced size of the Conservative Group, and can no longer, in our view, fulfil this function with sufficient support from this Council.

This Council resolves that:

It no longer has confidence in Cllr Biggs to Lead this Council so resolves to remove Councillor Richard Biggs as Leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and appoint a new Leader at this full council meeting on Thursday 25th September 2025.

Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Review

The council is scheduled to consider recommendations from the Licensing & Regulatory Committee following a review of taxi and private hire licensing policies. According to the Licensing & Regulatory Committee Minute 11, the review, which is the first comprehensive update since July 2012, was informed by five key pillars: vehicle emissions; public safety and convenience; vehicle safety; driver requirements; and operator standards.

The recommendations include:

• Approving changes to the Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle, Driver and Operator Policy and Conditions.
• Amending and strengthening the Convictions Policy in respect of licensed drivers.
• Commencing the statutory process to adopt the latest Hackney Carriage Model Byelaws.
• Allowing minor changes by the Head of Service responsible for Licensing in consultation with the relevant Portfolio holder.

The review included an eight-week public and trade consultation, which received 499 responses, with just under three-quarters from the trade. The feedback demonstrated broad support for the proposed policy and conditions changes, including an expectation that the council's licensed fleet should move towards zero- and ultra-low emission vehicles wherever practicable.

The Senior Manager for Regulatory Services is expected to explain that the proposed amendments toughen up the council's convictions policy in line with the Institute of Licensing model conditions.

The report also notes that the council's Sustainability Steering Group is exploring the installation of EV charging points in car parks and on council land, and that Surrey County Council also has an on-street charging programme forthcoming.

Other Items

The agenda also includes:

• Signing the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 22 July 2025.
• Receiving apologies for absence and declarations of interest.
• Considering any urgent business.
• Considering questions received from Members of the Council.
• Receiving any statement from Councillor Richard Biggs, The Leader of the Council, Members of the Executive, Committee Chairs or Mari Roberts-Wood, Chief Executive.
• Receiving any announcements by Councillor Richard Biggs, The Leader of the Council, and Councillor Rich Michalowski, The Mayor of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead.