iCars Swale ltd

03/09/2026

We've made some great progress, following an emergency meeting, we have been given an exemption to display our remembrance. poppies and Lest we forget signs.
We have received our wreath for the 11/11, and new poppies and RBL signs for our vehicles.
These are all now in place, and the old ones donated to those of you that asked if you could have them. There will be anothe meeting in October to rewrite the relevant bit of the Policy, that will then be agreed in October. We would thank The licencing department for getting this resolved so swiftly, and remind everyone that the issue was the policy, and not anyone in the council causing the problem.

Allow taxis in Swale to display Remembrance Poppies

02/09/2026

Progress is being made, we have an exemption in place until the policy is amended permanently.
Please carry on signing the petition to show support for the Policy to be amended permanently!

https://c.org/gSsTLjnPxh

01/09/2026

Swale Council held an Urgent Decision Meeting this afternoon to consider a temporary amendment to their licensing policy.

We would like to thank the Council for their time in this matter and appreciate their swift response in light of the volume and strength of emotions about this subject. We do not condone any threats or violence in support of our appeal to the Council, but rather prefer a peaceful campaign in the form of our online petition. Before the meeting the Council were informed that over 2,500 people had signed that petition.

The Council meeting was a very comprehensive discussion about the issue and we are pleased that the unanimous decision was taken to approve a temporary amendment to the licensing policy to allow the RBL red poppies and 'Lest we Forget' magnets on taxis and private hire vehicles. This is not just for iCars...it applies to all licenced operators across Swale.

We understand that this is now in place ahead of the Licensing Committee having a fuller review of it's policies on the 15th October and making duly considered recommendations on the subject to the Policy and Resources Committee on the 4th November. Hence, our online petition will remain live until the 4th November and we encourage members of the public to peacefully voice their support through this medium.

Though sad that any Council Members and staff have felt threatened by some of the public responses to this issue, iCars appreciate the efforts of staff and Councillors to resolve this matter so quickly, albeit in a temporary manner.

Thank you, on behalf of all licensed operators,
Neil & Jan McLennan
iCars (Swale) Ltd

Allow taxis in Swale to display Remembrance Poppies

29/08/2026

29/08/2026

29/08/2026

It has been truly wonderful to see the level of support for our Poppies and Lest we Forget signs and the principles and ideals that we hold, its quite evident that the same feelings are everywhere.
Im pleased to say that there is a licencing meeting planned for the very near future during which we hope a motion will be passed to approve them, and other items with the same goal, so long as official and nationally supported. The specifics are the responsibility of the licencing team, and the councillors that work with them.
We do not however condone any violence, or threats made during this period of uncertainty. This urgent meeting has been arranged as they are concerned for their safety.
THIS MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY.
ITS THE FAULT OF A POLICY, NOT AN INDIVIDUAL.
Lets hope that in the coming days this will all be put to bed, and we will be able to reinstate our displayed support for our veterans and continue the work we do inline with our Armed Forces Covenant.
We've ordered new signs and poppies to ensure theyre back bright and fresh

29/08/2026

We created a petition yesterday afternoon and already we are over 1000.
Please feel free to sign it and pass it round.
It’s good that the Licencing department has agreed to review the policy and arranged a meeting in September, but refusing to grant an exemption considering the level of support is quite remarkable.
We have the support of KCC Councillors, Swale Councillors, our MP, Kevin McKenna. As well as support from all over the country.
Last night we had an email from someone in the Gambia.
We have a covenant to the Armed Forces in which we state we will help the forces in to work, provide them with timeouts when they need them, yet our Taxi Licencing department prevent us from showing our Veterans the respect and support we should be able to do all year round.
Please help us by signing our petition.

Allow taxis in Swale to display Remembrance Poppies

27/08/2026

Help us to get our Poppies and ‘Lest we forget’ signs back please.
Please click the link below:

https://c.org/hj7Z6P5FpC

26/08/2026

We’ve had a thought, as the Poppy and Lest we forget signs breached the Policy and meant we had to remove them….. Do we need to remove the disabled badges and gas bottle warnings?
Or would that be discrimination?