Posted on the 12th October 2026 in PHTM News

NORTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE TRADE REP CHALLENGES COUNCIL OVER HUMAN COST OF LICENSING DECISIONS

Neil Rielly told PHTM that he is challenging the council to explain how its licensing decisions protect the public when drivers face losing their livelihoods and passengers could face reduced access to reliable and accessible transport.

In an email addressed to senior council officers and Councillor Kirk Harrison, Neil raises concerns about medical assessment procedures, knowledge testing, vehicle requirements and oversight of out-of-area private hire operations.

The challenge follows correspondence in which a long-serving Corby taxi driver indicated that he intends to surrender his badge after 35 years, citing difficulty establishing where to obtain a medical assessment required by the council.

On 2 October, the driver reported that his GP could not provide the required test. The council advised him to approach his GP again. On 8 October, after he indicated his intention to surrender his badge, a council officer suggested Corby Community Diagnostic Centre. The correspondence did not confirm whether the centre provides the required assessment or how to access it.

Neil said: “Drivers understand that medical fitness and passenger safety are essential. What is deeply frustrating is seeing someone unable to earn a living while being passed between organisations without a clear route to obtaining the evidence the council requires.

“These decisions affect real people: drivers with bills to pay, families depending on their income and passengers depending on taxis for everyday journeys.”

The email also questions the impact of knowledge testing on established drivers and recruitment, and seeks clarification about the Licensing Panel safeguard described in the council’s knowledge-test consultation.

Concerns about vehicle licensing include whether sufficient individual consideration is available when licences lapse, and how decisions affect the availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis.

Neil said: "For a wheelchair user, the loss of a suitable taxi can mean a missed appointment or a journey they cannot make. For someone trying to get home at night, fewer available taxis can mean longer waits and fewer options.

“The council needs to demonstrate that it has considered those consequences alongside the intended benefits of its rules.”

The email also refers to the council’s response of 22 September concerning Uber and out-of-area private hire operations. That response stated that NNC had not conducted a detailed investigation into Uber’s booking allocation or undertaken a formal local impact assessment.

Neil acknowledges that cross-border private hire working can be lawful and that the council’s enforcement powers are limited. He is asking what proactive checks and arrangements with other licensing authorities provide assurance for passengers.

He added: “‘Protecting the public’ must be supported by evidence and effective action. The council should explain how its approach improves safety overall, including how it addresses transport availability and enforcement gaps.

“Drivers and their families are members of the public too. Their welfare deserves consideration, alongside the needs of the passengers they serve.”

The email requests a substantive written response within 14 days and a separate urgent response concerning the driver’s medical assessment.


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