Taxi Driver Online

It's usually fares that are a big issue with council amalgamations, but there's always the fees angle


Council proposes new structure for taxi licencing fees across West Northamptonshire as fees are still different depending on former district

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news ... ct-5471886

A new structure for taxi licencing fees has been proposed by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) in a bid to unify the different prices that are still in place depending on the former district.

Under national legislation, anyone wishing to drive or operate a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle must hold the appropriate licence issued by the local council.

In the current financial year, there is a £72 discrepancy for a new private hire vehicle between the former Northampton Borough District and the former South Northamptonshire District.

It would cost £198 to register a new private hire vehicle in the former Northampton Borough District, whereas the former South Northamptonshire District would cost £270. In the former Daventry District, it would cost £173.

In a bid to create a “fair, consistent and transparent system” for all taxi operators, WNC is proposing a standard fee across the West Northamptonshire area of £235 from the start of the new financial year.

There are also a number of other proposed changes relating to renewals, operators licences and other fees, but the concept is the same – to create a unified fee across the area. Find all the proposed fee changes here.

Councillor Andrew Last, Cabinet Member for HR, Corporate and Regulatory Services said: “Taxi and private hire drivers, operators and residents all rely on a clear and well‑regulated licensing system, and these proposals are an important step in bringing our processes together across West Northants.

"By introducing a single, consistent approach to the fees paid to obtain or renew a licence, the council will create a fairer and more transparent system for the trade.

"This consultation is an opportunity for anyone with an interest in local taxi and private hire services to share their views, and we encourage drivers, operators and residents alike to get involved.”

Subject to consultation feedback and approval by the Taxi and General Licensing Committee, the revised fees would replace the historic charges set by the former councils with a unified structure that would come into effect in the next financial year, which starts from April 1.

Residents have until February 5 to have their say. View the consultation here.

The first link to the fee proposals suggests the previous one-year badge option for Daventry and South Northants is being removed under the new regime

So, in effect, what would be a one-year option to renew costing around a ton will now cost £233 for a three-year renewal (apropos stuff in another thread...).

(Couldn't be bothered wading through all the detail, but obviously because of Grandad's thing my eye was drawn to the badge fees.)

From what I can work out via the limited information provided by the DfT, those 70 proposed Transport Authorities will have to have one set of fees each, regardless of the number of councils they contain.

So the above is going to be the norm.

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IDFIMH

Notice DBS and DVLA checks are done by external supplier,I would be objecting to that.

Isn't there a single supplier who's doing a lot of that external DBS and DVLA checking?

Maybe they're a bit like Wolves is with regard to badging and plating - a bit of a monopoly situation in some regards?