Council leader confirms Edinburgh taxi outing will definitely go ahead
Green light for Edinburgh taxi outing after eleventh-hour licence scare
Fears that the annual Edinburgh Taxi Outing could be cancelled at the eleventh hour have been dismissed by the city's council leader, who confirmed the event will definitely go ahead as a licence is not actually required.
Organisers of the event, which treats children with additional needs and life-limiting conditions to a day out in decorated black cabs, had expressed concerns over a pending application with just 48 hours to go before Tuesday’s outing.
But Edinburgh Council leader Jane Meagher stepped in on Sunday evening to confirm no licence was necessary.
She said: "I can absolutely confirm that the Edinburgh Taxi Outing can go ahead this year.
"A licence is not needed and we will clarify what paperwork is required with the organiser before the outing on Tuesday."
The charity event had previously been at risk of cancellation after Police Scotland withdrew its motorcycle escorts, before local authorities and police reached a logistical solution.
Fresh doubts were raised this weekend when Edinburgh Taxi Outing Committee secretary Keith J Bell said a licence application submitted in April was still pending.
Speaking before the council’s clarification, Mr Bell said it was "totally unacceptable" to be left uncertain less than 24 hours before event setup began.
He said: "I’m now faced with the prospect of attending at Archerfield on Monday morning to start setting up the marquees not knowing if we will have the relevant licence granted to allow the event to go ahead as planned."
However, praising the collaborative effort between transport teams, police, and East Lothian Council, Ms Meagher reassured participants that the outing is definitely happening.
She added: "It must be alarming for families to once again hear that the outing is at risk. This is not the case, and I am looking forward to another fantastic and memorable day out."
Speaking to the Evening News on Sunday, prior to Ms Meagher’s pledge, the taxi outing secretary, Mr Bell, said he would not be able to rest until he had official confirmation from the council.
He said: “I’m hopeful it will get sorted on Monday, and someone will get in trouble at the licensing department. But why is it acceptable to wait until 24 hours before the event to give us the go-ahead?
“For events like this, with lots of vulnerable children with specific needs, we need certainty the event is going ahead so the kids are ready and prepared for the day.
“They are saying that it will be granted, but I don’t know that for sure.”
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