Plans to introduce a county-wide policy for licensing taxis and hackney carriages in North Yorkshire are being drawn up ahead of a major change in local democracy.
Members of North Yorkshire County Council’s decision-making executive met to discuss plans to launch a consultation on the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for the whole of the county.
The existing seven borough and district councils currently have their own hackney carriage and private hire licensing policies. But ahead of the launch of the new North Yorkshire Council, which will deliver all local services from April 1 next year, the county council’s executive were asked to endorse a consultation for the new policy.
A comprehensive review of the seven existing policies has been undertaken and although they have several factors in common, there are differences in terms of applicant criteria, vehicle specification and procedures.
The new policy seeks to ensure that the public continues to be provided with safe and accessible hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, as well as a coherent regulatory framework for the trade across the county.
It is proposed that the new council will operate one hackney carriage ‘zone’ for North Yorkshire. This will provide drivers with the flexibility to operate across the county, encouraging environmental efficiencies and creating a wider distribution of wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for open to business, Councillor Derek Bastiman, said: “I would encourage anyone who drives or regularly uses taxis or private hire vehicles to take part in this consultation to help us shape the new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for North Yorkshire.
“The policy plays an integral part in demonstrating the council’s commitment to ensuring that the public is provided with safe and accessible hackney carriages and private hire vehicles by the trade.
“And as a single local authority for North Yorkshire, it also ensures hackney carriage and private hire licence holders and taxi operators across the county are treated equally.”
The 12-week consultation allows licence holders, taxi operators and the public to have the opportunity to share their views and help to shape the policy that will serve North Yorkshire Council.
There are no plans to impose hackney carriage quantity restrictions on the creation of a new single zone, and hackney carriage fares and fees will be reviewed at a later date.
The consultation on the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for North Yorkshire will run until Monday, January 16.
All comments received will be fully considered by the executive in the new year with the aim of implementing the policy with the launch of the new authority.
