Does a hack only base need any licence from a LA

No

That is a good one. I say that because from when our council supposedly adopted the 1976 act until about 12 years ago the hackney drivers here were told that in order to take a job on the phone, they needed an operators license............and the tvvats paid for them.

It was always a 50/50 thing - but the brentwood vs gladden judgement cleared it up.

If you read section 80 of the 76 act it defines what a operator is -

“operate” means in the course of business to make provision for the invitation or acceptance of bookings for a private hire vehicle;

“operator’s licence” means a licence under section 55 of this Act;

section 55 Licensing of operators of private hire vehicles.

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, a district council shall, on receipt of an application from any person for the grant to that person of a licence to operate private hire vehicles grant to that person an operator’s licence:

Provided that a district council shall not grant a licence unless they are satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold an operator’s licence.

(2) Every licence granted under this section shall remain in force for such period, not being longer than five years, as a district council may specify in the licence.

(3) A district council may attach to the grant of a licence under this section such conditions as they may consider reasonably necessary.

(4) Any applicant aggrieved by the refusal of a district council to grant an operator’s licence under this section, or by any conditions attached to the grant of such a licence, may appeal to a magistrates’ court.

I did say "hackney only base"

Some travel agents take taxi bookings ie airport runs then sub em to a p/hire company, do they need an ops licence? Virgin provide transport to the airport, I don't see there vehicles licensed,

The same with Emirates.

Does a hack only base need any licence from a LA and MUST it be inside any particular LA?

Just to confuse you some more, the hack base could pass work on to a private hire vehicle from any where, so long as the private hire vehicle has his own ops licence, me thinks.

The same with Emirates.