Taxi Policy Consultation 2025

Overview

Cherwell District Council is responsible for the licensing and enforcement of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Vehicle trades within the district, to ensure public safety and protection to residents and visitors.

The policy and details present how the licensing of drivers, vehicles and operations will be undertaken by the Council, which will be applied to all existing licenses, and new applications.

Members of the public, the taxi trade and other parties such as representatives of disability groups, local partnerships and transport user groups are invited to read the policy and give feedback to the council. All views are considered as part of the decision-making process.

The government has evidence that taxis and private-hire vehicles be considered a ‘high-risk’ environment from a public safety perspective. Examples include abuse and exploitation facilitated or perpetrated by drivers, and the number of sexual crimes reported that involved drivers. This evidence has been gathered from data collected from local authorities across the country.

As a result, the government and DFT (Department for Transport) published guidance on statutory, and minimum standards for the Taxi trade, the latest DFT guidance was published in 2023. The guidance presents a framework, including eligibility criteria, and what we must consider when deciding whether to grant licenses.

The focus is on protecting children and vulnerable adults, but all passengers will benefit from the recommendations in the guidance. Although the guidance is not compulsory, Cherwell District Council are proposing to adopt all those standards proposed as a matter of public protection.

Additionally, the proposed policy also considers disability accessibility, climate change implications and actions to reduce the carbon footprint of the Taxi trade.

Have your say:

We’d like to know what you think about the changes to Cherwell District Council’s Taxi Policy.

Appendix 1 - Policy

Appendix 1b - Further details - list of appendices A to I.  Appendix 2 - changes to the Policy.

You can see documents attached at the right-hand side of this page.

To have your say, complete our online survey or download the printable version and send it back to us. Do Note:

The Council reserves the right to review, and if necessary, reverse any decision if information identified, at initial

decision is deemed incorrect.

This policy sets out the process for applying for:

• Private Hire or Hackney Carriage driver, operator and vehicle license.
• Requirements to hold a license.
• Conditions to be adhered to,
• Grounds for and process by which the Council may take action against a license.

The consultation begins on 16th June 2025 and closes on 11th August 2025. In addition, you can attend either of the following consultation forums at the Cherwell District Council Offices at 39 Castle Quay, Banbury, OX16 5FD:

• 15^th July 9am-1pm 2025
• 17^th July 1pm-5pm 2025

The sessions are drop in, so no booking is necessary.

Why your views matter

Please fill in our online survey by clicking the Survey button bellow. 

What happens after:

The information gathered in this survey will be used by the Licensing Team in considering recommendations for the changes proposed to the Taxi Policy.

• Your responses will be included in a report and recommendations taken to the Council Committee in September 2025
• The final Taxi Licensing Policy will be adopted and implemented after this date (license holders will be advised when the policy is adopted)

Your data:

Your personal information will only be used for the purpose mentioned in relation to this consultation.

If you would like more information on the Council's privacy policy, please take a look at our website here: https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/privacy-and-cookies'

Accessibility

If you would like a printed copy of the questionnaire or have any questions about the standards or the consultation, please email licensing@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or call the Licensing Team on 01295 753744.

Thank you