Taxi drivers and council staff say a fond farewell to the 'queen of licensing' after almost 40 years of service

Drivers gathered outside the Civic Centre, alongside council colleagues, to surprise Elaine Moreton by singing Happy Birthday as she marked her 75th birthday.

The council officer, a section leader in Wolverhampton Council's taxi licensing team, has ensured taxi drivers have stuck to the rules over the past 31 years.

And despite getting tough from time to time, there were no hard feelings as she was presented with cards, gifts and flowers as everyone wished her a happy retirement.

Parminder Sekhon, chairman of the Wolverhampton Taxi Owners Association, said: “I’ve known her for 22 years, but other drivers have known her a lot longer – ever since she started. She’ll be missed, she was always there and on the end of the phone, I’ve called her out of hours when I’ve needed to.

"I saw her after midnight the other weekend when I dropped a fare off near her house and she was there sitting in her front window waving at me - even late on a Saturday night she’s still watching what the taxis are up to.

"She was the face of licensing as far as the drivers are concerned."

Elaine leaves the council on Friday after starting work as a 16-year-old administration assistant in the then Town Clerk’s department in 1963.

After getting married in 1971, she moved to Wales to raise her two children before returning to Wolverhampton and the council’s licensing department in 1990, where she has remained ever since.

Her job involves overseeing private hire vehicle operator licences and conducting driver reviews for existing private hire and hackney carriage licence holders. She has also overseen licensing act applications, represented the council in taxi appeals and assisted in countless committee meetings.

Elaine said she will miss her colleagues, many of whom she considers friends, especially those that she has mentored, watched grow up and progress their careers.

She added: “I know I could’ve retired a long time ago, but age is just a number and I’ve loved my job. I’ve never been able to sit around – I’ve always got to have something to do which is why I think I’ve held off from retiring for so long.”

Her manager Greg Bickerdike said: “She is the queen of licensing. Elaine is a legend both in and out of the council. She strikes fear in the heart of many a taxi driver, but we all know she’s a big softie at heart, uncompromising in doing what’s right and delivering the very best customer service.

“Elaine will be sorely missed and is quite literally irreplaceable. We all wish her the very best for her retirement, she has most certainly earned it.”

Councillor Philip Page, chairman of the council's regulatory committee, said: “I would like to thank Elaine for many years of service and I hope she has a very happy enjoyable retirement full of many adventures."