Local councils across the UK are currently undertaking a series of PR-inspired spot checks with multi-agency partners in order to crackdown on rogue private hire vehicles.
Sam Butterworth reports for TheChauffeur.com;
The move is designed to highlight the local authority’s role as licensor for all private and Hackney carriage licenses by outlining and maintaining a regulated fleet in its local authority borders.
However, in the case of Northampton Borough Council and several other municipal councils across the UK, an increase in licensing fees in 2015/16 has created a perfect storm in all intents and purposes in regards to sector recruitment. The picture looks incredibly bleak at the national level.
Many local taxi companies are worried the new initiatives and further planned increases from a myriad of local authorities currently undertaking public consultation, are storing up future recruitment problems. These developments could make the trade unprofitable and unviable for new entrants.
Individuals wanting to work part-time or freelance could be scared away by the high costs associated with setting up. The fees which include the New Private Hire Driver initial appointment fee of £30-£50, the induction day fee of £100-£150 – with any re-takes requiring drivers to pay £55-£100 per session – and the Grant of a 3+ Year License can cost upwards of £190-£250.
The cumulative total of fees, if one includes re-takes and criminal bureau checks, can cost a substantial amount. The total sums required to become a licensed private hire driver is around the £550-£750 on average across the UK.
The Local Government Ombudsman has handled an increase in demand for arbitration in terms of rising fees and bad decision-making. The Ombudsman has helped many individuals across the UK, including London, Liverpool and Northampton, in helping to adjudicate against wrongful local authority decision-making.
