Statement on local taxi firm incident

Last weekend, the Council became aware of comments made by a local resident on social media platforms which suggested a local taxi firm was proposing to actively discriminate against the recruitment of people from a Pakistani background.

The Council took a number of immediate actions which included checking whether there were grounds to revoke the licences held by people involved with the company concerned and ensuring police were aware of the incident, liaising with police at all times. The Council has also issued several statements this week condemning the behaviour and also confirming that the person who has made the repugnant and racist comments is not a licence holder. To clarify, the organisation does not hold any licences in its name. The Council can only take action against individuals who hold a licence.

The Council has also discussed with its Community Safety partners whether there is further action that could be taken to both support the existing BME communities in Neath Port Talbot but also to prevent further recurrences of such behaviour.

Officers have been liaising with the local taxi association members over the course of the week to offer information, guidance and support. Community safety partners will also be continuing to offer support in ensuing weeks.

We expect the police investigation into the incident to be concluded in the very near future. We then intend to offer guidance to the company and others at the centre of the investigation with a view to ensuring the organisation is equipped with a clear understanding of the responsibilities that are placed on everyone across the county borough to treat people with respect and tolerance, regardless of people’s backgrounds and to avoid behaviours which are discriminatory, inflammatory and which fall short of the principles of equality that have been enshrined in UK law for some considerable time.

Council Leader, Councillor Rob Jones, said:

“Neath Port Talbot is a safe and friendly place where there is a strong sense of community in our villages and towns. People from our Black and Minority Ethnic community make a positive contribution in all aspects of community life. I am appalled that they should have been singled out in such a way. The Council will work alongside police and wider community safety partners to ensure that actions are taken to prevent such incidents from occurring.  The Council, in all areas of its work strives to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and foster good relations in Neath Port Talbot. There is absolutely no place in Neath Port Talbot for racism or discrimination and I encourage all of our communities to help us stamp this out wherever it manifests itself me.”