Hart Council set to consult on 2026/27 taxi licensing fees and new refund policy
- Perry Richardson
- 3 hours ago
- 1 min read
Hart’s Licensing Committee will this week consider proposed taxi licensing fees and charges for 2026/27 ahead of a statutory consultation and final Council approval. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 21 October 2025.
The report recommends keeping hackney carriage and private hire vehicle fees at current levels for both new and renewal applications in the coming financial year. Fees for drivers and operators remain set locally on a cost recovery basis, with income ring fenced to cover the council’s licensing service.
Two new charges are proposed. An exemption vehicle fee would separate executive-type private hire work from general private hire reporting. A charge is also introduced to recover costs when officers meet applicants outside standard application processing.
A formal refund policy is set out for approval. The service currently refunds in full when applicants withdraw. The new approach would allow the council to recover some administrative costs where work has already been undertaken.
Operator licensing fees would switch to a revised structure that reflects the greater cost impact of larger operators on the licensing service. The report notes that DAT, DBS and medical adviser charges are set externally and passed on at cost.
The committee is asked to approve the consultation process required by section 70 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for vehicle and operator fees. If no objections are received or any are withdrawn, the committee would recommend adoption to full Council.
All other licensing fees outside taxi and PHV regimes will be considered by full Council in February 2026.
