FOI release

Freedom of Information request - Taxi garage licensing details

This request was refused in part, so we didn't provide some of the information the requester asked for. This may include information where we can neither confirm nor deny that we hold it.

Case reference FOI2026/00637

Received 24 June 2026

Published 21 July 2026

Request

Please would you provide a) the name and address of each MOT garage which is authorised to carry out compliance tests of taxis and private hire vehicles for your council b) the address of testing station c) the contractor's registered company number where available d) the full name of the director/partner/sole trader, where available Please provide information in an Excel format Yours faithfully, M. Cox ------------------------------------------------------------------- Please use this email address for all replies to this request: request-1462546-d35ec9f0@whatdotheyknow.com Is freedomofinformation@oxford.gov.uk the wrong address for Freedom of Information requests to Oxford City Council? If so, please contact us using this form: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/change_request/new?body=oxford_city_council Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/officers For more detailed guidance on safely disclosing information, read the latest advice from the ICO: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-guidance-for-authorities https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/help/ico-anonymisation-code Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed. If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

Response

In accordance with section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), Oxford City Council (OCC) confirms that it holds information falling within the scope of your request.

a) the name and address of each MOT garage which is authorised to carry out compliance tests of taxis and private hire vehicles for your council

Oxford Direct Services Limited

Cowley Marsh Depot

Marsh Road

Oxford

OX4 2HH

b) the address of testing station

Cowley Marsh Depot

Marsh Road

Oxford

OX4 2HH

c) the contractor's registered company number where available

10719222.

d) the full name of the director/partner/sole trader, where available

OCC confirms that it holds information identifying the current directors of Oxford Direct Services Limited. However, the names of the directors are exempt from disclosure under section 21(1) of the FOIA.

Section 21(1) of the FOIA provides that information is exempt where it is reasonably accessible to the applicant by means other than through the right of access created by section 1 of the FOIA.

The names and appointment details of the current directors of Oxford Direct Services Limited are published on the Companies House register and are available free of charge through the “Find and update company information” service.

The relevant Companies House page can be accessed at:

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10719222/officers

Alternatively, the information can be located by visiting the Companies House “Find and update company information” service, searching for either “Oxford Direct Services Limited” or company number “10719222”, and selecting the “People” section of the company record.

The Companies House record identifies the company’s current officers, including those holding active director appointments, and distinguishes them from individuals whose appointments have ended.

The information is available online without charge and without the need to submit a further information request. As your request was submitted electronically and the relevant Companies House record is freely accessible through an official government website, OCC considers that the information is reasonably accessible to you for the purposes of section 21(1) of the FOIA.

OCC is not relying upon section 21 because the directors’ names are considered confidential or because they constitute personal information. The exemption applies because the same information requested at part (d) is already reasonably accessible through the official public register maintained by Companies House.

Section 21 is an absolute exemption. This means that, once OCC is satisfied that the requested information is reasonably accessible to the applicant by another means, it is not required to undertake a public interest test or balance the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in maintaining the exemption.

OCC has nevertheless disclosed the identity of the relevant company, its registered company number and the precise location at which the requested director information can be accessed.

In accordance with section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which concerns the duty to provide reasonable advice and assistance, OCC has provided the direct link and search instructions above to enable you to locate the requested information.

If you disagree with any part of the response to your request, you are entitled to ask the Council for an internal review of the decision(s) made. You may do this by writing to the Monitoring Officer, by either email monitoringofficer@oxford.gov.uk – or by post to Monitoring Officer, Oxford City Council, Town Hall, St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1BX. After the result of the internal review, if you remain dissatisfied, you may ask the Information Commissioner to intervene on your behalf. You may do this by writing to the Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

Yours sincerely,

Freedom of Information Officer

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

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