Head of Projects and Developments, Alan Matthews will depart from the PCO on 1st May 2009. Dave Stock, who is currently Head of Service Delivery, will then take responsibility for the delivery of taxi and private hire vehicle licensing and inspection services. Ed Thompson, Taxi & Private Hire Director at the PCO announcing the news said: “The core services are delivered, under contract, by SGS United Kingdom Ltd. Since the contract came into effect in April 2004 this contract has been managed within the PCO by Alan Matthews as Head of Projects and Developments. However, as a result of planned organisational change within the PCO, Alan’s current post as Head of Projects and Developments will cease with effect from 30 April 2009. The PCO Contract Management Team, under the day-to-day responsibility of Ray Biggs, will now report into Dave Stock. This change will not affect the standard of service delivered to taxi and private hire licensees.”

Alan Matthews was closely involved with the transfer of taxi testing at Penton Street to the SGS centres.

Drivers are urged not to issue receipts that display advertisements that may cause offence to passengers as the PCO continues to receive complaints from passengers who have been issued with receipts that cause offence, particularly from female passengers who have been given receipts that advertise lap dancing clubs and other similar establishments.

The PCO is urging promoters to apply the same standards used for approving advertising on taxis and the reverse of printed taxi receipts, which at present do not extend to hand written receipts.

The PCO recognises that receipts are an effective method of advertising and has itself promoted causes through this medium. However, when issuing receipts drivers are reminded that the advertisement of some products or services may cause offence to passengers.