Policy objectives and aims

This policy is intended to enable the council to provide a robust licensing regime which enables the hackney carriage and private hire trades to provide the best possible service to the public with the overriding aim of maintaining and improving public safety.

The objectives of this policy are:

• the protection of the public
• the maintenance and development of professional and respected hackney carriage and private hire trades
• enabling access to an efficient and effective local transport service
• the protection of our local environment
• consideration of accessibility issues associated with the conveyance of all passengers, in line with the Equality Act 2010

The council aims to improve our environment and air quality by encouraging the use of low and ultra-low emission (such as electric, hybrid or liquefied petroleum gas [LPG]) taxi and private hire vehicles. 

We will keep this policy under review at least every five years in line with the Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards to ensure that it remains up to date.

In the exercise of its powers as the Licensing Authority, the Council will have regard to this policy. Notwithstanding this, every application or enforcement measure will be considered on its own merits. Should it be necessary to depart from this policy, the Council will record its reasons for doing so.