Draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2023

Overview

West Northamptonshire Council is undertaking a consultation on the Draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2023.

The Policy will supersede current policies for the areas of Daventry, Northampton, and South Northants and sets out the driver, vehicle, and operator standards for Hackney Carriages and private hire licensing for current licence holders and all new licence applicants. This consultation specifically focuses on increasing standards and therefore improving public safety.

Key details that the draft policy focuses on include:

• Improved driver standards
• Strengthening the "fit and proper person" test
• A more rigorous convictions policy
• Mandatory safeguarding training
• Spoken English testing
• Driving standards training

Pre-engagement work has been undertaken with local licenced drivers and operators and we have also been working with the Police as we look to develop a new safeguarding assessment.

Please see the Draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy 2023 for full detail.

This consultation is carried out under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and considers the recommendation contained within the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Standards published by Government in 2020. 

How can I submit my comments?

We welcome comments from private hire and hackney carriage license holders, anyone applying for a license, residents, businesses, the Parish Council, and partner organisations.

You can submit your comments by:

• Taking the online survey by following the survey link below.
• Submitting a response via:
  • Email: licensing.snc@westnorthants.gov.uk, or
  • Writing to: West Northamptonshire Council
    • Taxi Consultation
    • The Guildhall 
    • St Giles' Square
    • Northampton
    • NN1 1DE

(Please ensure that there is sufficient time to guarantee delivery to our office by the closing date for comments)

For further information, if you have difficulties accessing the survey, or would like a copy of the survey in another format please contact us using the detail above.

For further detail of how we handle data please see the Environmental health, protection and licensing privacy notice.

The consultation commences on 30 January 2023 and will close at 11:59 on 23 April 2023.

What Happens Next?

Following the 8 week consultation period, responses will be considered and presented along with the draft policy to Licensing Committee for consideration before the policy is adopted and comes into force.

What happens next

What Happens Next?

Following the 8 week consultation period, responses will be considered and presented along with the draft policy to Licensing Committee for consideration before the policy is adopted and comes into force.