URL: https://northnorthants.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2020

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To consider and approve the review policy.

Content: RESOLVED   KEY DECISION   That the Executive:   a)    Agreed sections 5, 10 and 11- where it relates to the inspection of vehicles, section 12 – transfer of licences,  and section 16 – fees,  of the Policy in so far as this rests within the functions of the Executive.   b)    Noted the updated policy as shown at Appendix A and recommended adoption of the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2025-2028 for approval by Council on 26th June 2025.   c)    Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place and Economy in consultation with the Executive Member for Regulatory Services to amend the resolution of 11th July 2024 to postpone the previously agreed commencement of the single NNC hackney carriage zone from 1st April 2025 to 1st September 2025. The effect of this amendment will allow time for the Department for Transport to confirm the associated new set of Hackney Carriage Byelaws.     Reasons for Recommendations: the draft Policy provides information and clarity to the licensed trade and prospective applicants about how the Council will administer the hackney carriage and private hire driver, vehicle and private hire operator licensing regimes. The Policy also explains how the Council will deliver on its primary and overriding responsibility to protect the public, so that they may travel in safe, well-maintained vehicles, driven by competent drivers.   The draft Policy includes several material differences to the extant Policy, which took effect on 1st April 2023, to ensure it reflects the decision of the Council’s Executive of 11th July 2024 to transition to a single hackney carriage zone. Additionally, the proposed changes ensure its cognisance of updated guidance issued by the Department for Transport and the Institute of Licensing, as well as operational experience and feedback from the licensed trade.   Final approval of the updated Hackney Carriage Byelaws is still pending with the Department for Transport. The updated Policy refers to the transition to a single hackney carriage zone and an associated set of new Byelaws; therefore, the implementation of both the Policy and the new Byelaws must be harmonised.   It is necessary also to amend the decision of the Council’s Executive of 11th July 2024 so that implementation of the single hackney carriage zone correlates with the implementation date of a new set of Hackney Carriage Byelaws.   Alternative Options Considered – the Executive could decide not to update the extant Policy in relation to the sections within their functions to resolve and not recommend to Council the adoption of the draft Policy. The consequence of which would be that the Policy will not reflect the decision to transition to a single hackney carriage zone. The Policy will also not reflect updated government guidance and learned operational experience. This could leave the Council open to legal challenge in relation to any decisions made under hackney carriage and private hire licensing legislation.   The Executive could decide not to delay implementation of the new NNC zone; however, if the implementation date for the Byelaws is delayed, this reduces the Council’s ability to regulate hackney carriage activities and limits Officers enforcement ability, since the Byelaws govern Hackney Carriage activity.   

Date of Decision: June 17, 2025