A new licensing policy for taxi and private hire vehicles operating in Peterborough will go out to public consultation later this month.
Members of Peterborough City Council’s Licensing Committee discussed the authority’s draft Taxi and Private Hire Policy 2026–2031 at a meeting held at Sand Martin House yesterday evening (Thursday 8 October).
Councillors approved plans for a public consultation on the policy so that drivers, operators, members of the public, and other stakeholders can comment on the proposed changes and this will get under way shortly.
A report was submitted to the Committee for review and consideration because the current licensing policy requires updating. The proposed changes respond to national developments in taxi and private hire regulation, including recommendations arising from the Baroness Casey Review and the wider move towards stronger regulation of the trade nationally.
Councillor Christian Hogg, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Enforcement, said: “With the current licensing policy set to expire soon, we are taking the right steps to get a new relevant policy agreed. This will ensure that a robust and up-to-date framework is in place to safeguard licensed drivers, operators and members of the public using taxi and private hire services in the city.
“We will shortly be inviting everyone to have their say on the draft policy and will be promoting this on our social media accounts. Once this launches, I would urge everyone to have your say. This will only take a few minutes of your time but your feedback will be vitally important.”
The proposed policy changes include an introduction of financial checks for all new and renewal operator applications, as well as plans for zero-emission vehicles to be eligible for licensing up to 18 years old, encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles.
The planned changes are intended to strengthen public safety, improve regulatory oversight and ensure that licensed operators and vehicles continue to meet appropriate standards. Increased safeguarding of vulnerable passengers is paramount, particularly where taxi and private hire services are used to deliver passenger transport contracts or support other journeys involving children, young people, adults at risk or those who may be vulnerable due to their circumstances.
You can read the meeting agenda and a copy of the draft policy on our website.