West Northants Council launches consultation on unified taxi and private hire licensing fees
- Perry Richardson
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Taxi and private hire drivers, operators and industry stakeholders are being asked to comment on proposed changes to licensing fees as West Northamptonshire Council opens a public consultation on introducing a single, unified charging structure across the authority.
The consultation, which launched on Thursday 8 January, is part of the council’s efforts to standardise taxi and private hire licensing following local government reorganisation. It will run until Thursday 5 February and will inform a final decision later this year.
Under the proposals, West Northamptonshire would replace multiple historic fee regimes with one consistent set of charges covering drivers, vehicles and operators. The move is intended to create a clearer and more transparent framework for the local taxi and private hire trade.
Since its formation, the council has inherited differing licensing arrangements from the former district and borough councils of Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire. These legacy structures currently result in varying costs and processes depending on where a licence was originally issued.
Council proposes single fee structure to replace legacy charges from former district authorities from April 2026
National legislation requires anyone driving or operating a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle in West Northamptonshire to hold the appropriate licence issued by the council. The proposed changes would not alter licensing requirements but would align the fees charged across the area.
Subject to feedback from the consultation and approval by the Taxi and General Licensing Committee, the unified fee structure would replace existing charges set by the former councils. The council has indicated that, if approved, the new fees would take effect from the start of the next financial year on 1 April 2026.
The consultation forms part of a wider push by councils nationally to simplify taxi and private hire licensing systems following local authority mergers, with fee harmonisation often cited as a necessary step to ensure administrative consistency and cost recovery.
Cllr 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.”
