NORTHUMBERLAND: ALARM OVER POWERS TO MAYOR
ROUND THE COUNCILS WIGAN:
CABBIES SLAM ‘CRAZY’ AGE LIMIT RULES
Northumberland councillors have raised serious concerns over new government proposals, currently out to consultation, that could strip the county council of its taxi licensing powers and hand them to the North East Strategic Mayoral Authority. The government argues that because passengers frequently cross “invisible borders” between local authorities, the current system creates “inconsistent” standards. To fix this, ministers want to transfer licensing powers to regional transport bodies, which in the North East means the mayoral authority. However, local officials are sceptical about how the plan would work. Speaking at a committee meeting on Tuesday 23 June, Councillor Alan Smith admitted he was “struggling to see how it would work in practice,” while committee chairman Councillor Trevor Cessford voiced fears that the responsibility would sit with the mayor while the council would end up doing “all the work.”
A major worry is Northumberland’s massive size and rural nature. Councillor Gordon Stewart, cabinet member for public safety,
pointed out that
Northumberland is England’s second-largest unitary authority by land area, featuring a unique mix of urban centres and remote, sparsely populated communities. In his response to the consultation, Stewart warned: “A key concern for our local drivers is they could be forced to travel to a centralised point outside the county to deal with the administration of their licence,” he wrote, adding that this would have a “negative impact.” The council also doubts whether the mayoral authority has the capability to manage the system, with Stewart noting that the council “understands the North East Combined Authority does not have in place the necessary infrastructure required to
operate a
licensing scheme of this nature.” Instead, Northumberland Council is pushing for a “hybrid approach” where the mayoral authority sets the region’s policy, but local councils are paid to actually run the scheme. While the plans would apply across the whole of England, local officials stress that nothing is final yet. Colin MacDonald, head of public protection, emphasised that “the devil is in the detail” and noted that while the government clearly has a “strong view,” the proposals are still only at the consultation stage.
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A strict council policy is forcing local private hire drivers out of business by banning cars over 12 years old, even if they pass strict emissions and safety tests. John Moreton, a 63-year-old cabbie from Wigan, faces being unable to use his hybrid vehicle beyond 2026 due to the rule. Moreton, who drives a “pristine” 17-year-old Toyota Prius that recently passed three separate MOTs, expressed his frustration at the prospect of being forced to buy an expensive replacement. “This rule will put me out of work and onto benefits, it’s crazy,” he said, questioning whether it makes sense to take on £20,000 to £25,000 to finance a new cab at his age. The policy has created a confusing postcode lottery across Greater Manchester. While Wigan enforces the age cap, neighbouring areas, such as Bolton and Stockport, judge vehicles on actual emissions rather than age. Moreton described the inconsistency as “ridiculous,” pointing out that someone from outside Wigan could buy his car, license it elsewhere, and legally drive passengers within his own town. Another local driver shared that they are facing an unfair exit from the industry this October, despite borrowing money to buy their car just two years ago before the rule was implemented. Independent councillor, Maureen O’Bern, has backed the struggling drivers, arguing that there is “no logic” to the rule and that the council should support safe, long-standing local cabbies. David Lawrie, director of the National Private Hire Association, also acknowledged the drivers’ frustration, noting that “the level of variation is getting ridiculous.” However, Lawrie suggested a solution might be on the horizon, stating there is a “strong appetite” for an upcoming national standard from the government to level the playing field across the country. Wigan Council has defended the policy, with assistant director Julie Middlehurst stating that the age limit provides a “clear, consistent, and enforceable framework” to maintain a high-quality fleet and ensure vehicles are safe, reliable, and environmentally sustainable. While she noted the policy was agreed over four years ago with a fair implementation period, the council has promised to give “further consideration” to the mounting concerns raised by local drivers.
AUGUST 2026 PHTM
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