CROSS-BORDER CONCERNS: South Kesteven Council latest authority to call for out-of-area private hire clampdown
- Perry Richardson
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
South Kesteven District Council are the latest region to call on the Government to tighten rules around taxi and private hire licensing as concerns grow over the number of out-of-area vehicles operating locally.
Council Leader Cllr Ashley Baxter has written to Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP following repeated concerns raised at Licensing Committee meetings and other forums. The focus is on Wolverhampton-licensed vehicles, which are frequently seen operating across South Kesteven.
Current legislation allows Hackney Carriage and Private Hire drivers licensed by other authorities to operate anywhere in England, provided the booking originates in the area where they are licensed. This system, critics argue, limits the power of local councils like South Kesteven to enforce standards and ensure compliance among drivers working in their area.
Cllr Baxter said the loophole means drivers who might be refused or stripped of a licence by SKDC can continue working in the district under the approval of other councils with less rigorous standards. He highlighted Wolverhampton, where over 35,000 drivers are licensed, in contrast to just 350 in South Kesteven.
Like many other regions, the situation is placing financial pressure on local operators who are following the district’s licensing rules. Many survived the challenges of the pandemic but now face what the Council describes as unfair competition.
In response, SKDC has updated its own policies in line with national guidance issued in 2021 and 2023. These documents aim to ensure passenger safety, accessibility, and affordability. However, the Council believes further national intervention is needed.
Cllr Baxter has asked the Government to either close the cross-border licensing gap or bring in national policy or legislation to ensure all licensing authorities operate under consistent standards. The matter was also discussed at the latest SKDC Licensing Committee meeting, where councillors agreed to hold a workshop with drivers and members of the public to gather further views.
Cllr Baxter said: “Because of this, drivers who would not qualify for a licence from South Kesteven, or might even have had a licence refused or revoked by us, are enabled to trade in our District.
“Wolverhampton City Council has approximately 35,000 licensed taxi and private hire drivers, compared to 350 in South Kesteven. Does Wolverhampton really need 100 times as many licensed drivers as South Kesteven?
“The overall number of taxi and private hire drivers in our district has remained relatively constant in recent years. Many survived the significant impact of Covid but now face increasing financial pressure due to unfair competition from drivers licensed by other authorities.
“Unfortunately, South Kesteven is suffering a deluge of vehicles licensed by other local authorities. This is having a detrimental effect on local drivers and operators.
“In response to requests from our elected members and officers, I am pushing for anomalies and loopholes to be resolved in the interests of the livelihoods of our hard-working taxi-drivers and operators as well as the safety of passengers.
“I have written to the Under-Secretary to request that either the cross-border licensing loophole is closed, or that a national statutory policy or legislation is considered to enable the provision of safe, accessible, available, and affordable services that meet the wide range of passenger needs by a thriving trade by all Licensing Authorities.”
