New taxi zone to be discussed at Executive

09 July 2024

North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive will discuss the results of a consultation on changes to taxi zones across the area at a meeting this week before deciding how taxi zones should operate going forward.

In late 2023 - early 2024, the council consulted on whether the four current zones should be retained or replaced with one zone covering the whole of North Northamptonshire.

Executive will be asked to consider the consultation responses received, alongside the recommendations of the Licensing and Appeals Committee and the Place and Environment Scrutiny Committee.

It is proposed that the four zones are replaced with one zone from 1 April 2025.

It also recommended that NNC will consult on a revised geographical/knowledge test for drivers before the single zone is introduced. Consideration will also be given to the trade’s representation regarding the age of vehicles.

Currently, for the purposes of taxi licensing, the previous former authority area zones have been retained: Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough.

Each zone continues to license its own taxis and drivers as well as operate to the byelaws currently in existence for that former area. It also means that a driver and vehicle wishing to operate across the whole of North Northamptonshire currently would need to obtain four, separate licenses.

To get to this point, we have gone through a rigorous consultation process and engaged directly with taxi drivers across North Northamptonshire, followed by discussions at all of the necessary committees.

I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to have their say. Following the consultation and discussions, we are now at the point where a final decision can be made and should the report’s recommendations be agreed, we would look to implement the new zone from 1 April 2025.Cllr David Brackenbury, the council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration

We have been one council for three years now and work has been ongoing to align services and ensure consistency across the local area. With this in mind, I am pleased we are now in the position to discuss the potential move to one zone and make a decision on how taxi zones will operate going forward.Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive will meet on Thursday 11 July at the Corby Cube. The papers are now available online and the meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.