New North Yorkshire Council Scores Early Win in Taxi Licensing

The newly formed North Yorkshire Council has hit the ground running, conducting a successful licensing enforcement operation in the Craven area.  

This operation, the first of its kind under the new council structure, underscores the positive effects of a recent transition from eight separate councils to a unified local government in North Yorkshire. 

The enforcement operation, conducted in collaboration with North Yorkshire Police’s roads traffic team, was aimed at ensuring the safety and compliance of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles operating within the council's jurisdiction.  

The checks involved checking the roadworthiness of all vehicles, ensuring correct vehicle and driver signage, and checking documents were in order. The outcome will be highly encouraging for the new council, as all the cabs checked were found to be operating perfectly. 

North Yokshire County Hall (Image Credit)

This successful operation marks a significant milestone for the new unitary council, which was officially launched on April 1st.

What came before?

Prior to this, North Yorkshire was governed by eight separate councils, each with their own local public service responsibilities. These councils were:

• Craven District Council.

• Hambleton District Council.

• Harrogate Borough Council.

• Scarborough Borough Council.

• Selby District Council.

• Richmondshire District Council.

• Ryedale District Council.

This fragmentation, while functional, lacked the streamlined decision-making and efficiency that a unified body could offer. The move to consolidate these councils into one unit was a strategic decision aimed at enhancing service delivery while also realising substantial cost savings.  

It is estimated that the reorganisation will yield between £30 and £70 million in savings annually – funds that can be redirected towards safeguarding the most vital local services during a time of economic pressures. 

What does this reorganisation mean for the local taxi and private hire industry?  

The consolidation of local government has led to significant changes in the area of taxi licensing.  
 
A unified hackney carriage and private hire licensing policy has been introduced across the county, replacing the previously separate rules and regulations set by each of the eight councils. This combined approach aims to maintain high standards across the industry while ensuring a fair regulatory framework for all taxi and private hire operators and drivers. 

A single set of licensing fees has been proposed, replacing the varied fees previously set by each of the old councils. The proposed licence fee for a new 12-month hackney carriage licence is £350, with a renewal fee of £280. For a private hire vehicle, the proposed initial licence fee is £330, with a renewal fee set at £265. 

Drivers will also have the option to apply for a three-year licence for either a hackney carriage, a private hire vehicle, or both categories. Opting for this longer-term licence will offer a discount to drivers. 

The new fees will only apply when applying for a new licence or renewing an existing one after April 1st, coinciding with the launch of the new council. 

Current licence holders do not need to renew their licences until the expiry date shown on their current licence, regardless of the council's transition. Existing licences issued before the council transition are still valid until their specified expiry dates. 

The successful outcome of the first licensing enforcement operation under the new council's governance is a good omen for the future of the taxi and private hire industry in North Yorkshire.