The North Northamptonshire Council was scheduled to meet on 26 June 2025 to discuss several key issues, including the adoption of a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, the replacement of the Adults Social Care System, and changes to the political balance on council committees. Councillors were also expected to consider three motions related to the Gypsy & Traveller Local Plan, an Everyone Matters Campaign, and business rates for town centre businesses. The meeting was also set to include public participation and councillor questions.

Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy

The council was expected to consider the adoption of the draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2025-2028, along with associated byelaws. The primary objective of the policy is to protect the public, balancing the interests of licence holders and the community.

Key elements of the policy included:

• Licensing Objectives: Adoption of new licensing objectives to underpin decision-making, focusing on public safety, reliable transport, a professional trade, crime prevention and environmental sustainability.
• Transitional Arrangements: Maintaining transition arrangements regarding vehicle age and type until 1 April 2028 for existing vehicle owners, with exceptions for new advertising requirements.
• Driver Licensing Requirements: Inclusion of a 12-week advance application renewal requirement, updated proof of entitlement to work in the UK, and restrictions for applicants with excessive DVLA points.
• Vehicle Age Considerations: Removing the maximum age limit for purpose-built wheelchair accessible hackney carriage vehicles and private hire ZEVs¹ or ultra-low emissions vehicles (ULEV).
• Environmental Considerations: Removing the prohibition on licensing petrol or diesel fuelled vehicles, instead requiring all new and replacement vehicles to meet at least Euro 6 emission standards.
• Vehicle Signage and Advertising: Amendments to signage on private hire vehicles, limiting commercial signage to the operator's name and phone number.
• Vehicle Testing and Inspections: Introducing a new requirement for vehicles to be assessed against revised age and condition requirements.
• Fees and Charges: Setting out how licence fees are constructed and the circumstances under which a refund may be requested.

The council was also scheduled to resolve, pursuant to Schedule 14, Part 2, Paragraph 25 of the Local Government Act 1972, that section 171(4) of the Public Health Act 1875 shall apply throughout the District of North Northamptonshire, effectively removing the existing hackney carriage zones and creating a single zone.

The Department for Transport (DfT) had provisionally approved the draft byelaws in January 2025, and the council was expected to adopt the draft North Northamptonshire Council Byelaws for Hackney Carriage Vehicles (Taxis).

Councillor Kirk Harrison, Executive Member for Regulatory Services, was named in the Taxi Policy Adoption Report and Adoption of Byelaws as the lead member for this item.

Replacement Adults Social Care System

The council was expected to consider a report seeking approval for the draw down of £2.2 million from the planned use of the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts (FUCR) to fund the one-off implementation costs of procuring a replacement Adults Social Care System.

The current case management system was scheduled to be replaced to support operational management, enable innovation, integrate with wider digital platforms, and provide the foundations for effectively managing the service. The proposed contract duration is up to seven years, with an option to extend for a further three years. The total cost of the proposed contract is estimated at £5.72 million over seven years.

Councillor Eddie McDonald, Deputy Leader and Executive Member Adults and Health Partnerships, was named in the Replacement Adults Social Care System - Full Council report as the lead member for this item.

Political Balance on Council Committees

The council was scheduled to consider a report seeking approval for changes to the political balance on council committees, inclusive of the revised allocation of seats for the committees to the recognised political groups, and in accordance with statutory proportionality requirements and the Constitution.

The proposed changes were prompted by the election of Councillor Mark Haddon (Reform UK) and Councillor Jennie Bone (Conservatives) to the Higham Ferrers Ward.

The report set out the revised political balance of the council as of 17 June 2025, the number of voting seats available on committees, and the political group nominations available for allocation to those seats.

Motions on Notice

The council was scheduled to consider three motions:

• Motion 1: Proposed by Councillor Jim Hakewill and seconded by Councillor Brian Benneyworth, regarding the removal of £1.3 million from the capital program 2024-28 due to the council's failure to meet deadlines for the adoption of the Gypsy & Traveller Local Plan. The motion seeks to remove the threat of development on Rothwell Green Space and place the need for Temporary Traveller Stopping places provision into the NNC-wide Local Plan evaluation of Traveller accommodation.
• Motion 2: Proposed by Councillor Steve Geary and seconded by Councillor Ben Williams, calling for the council to initiate an Everyone Matters Campaign to reaffirm that all residents and council staff across North Northamptonshire are valued and respected. The motion references concerns about how certain decisions have been communicated and aims to restore trust in the council. > This motion calls for the Council to initiate anEveryone Matters Campaign- a clear and public reaffirmation that all residents and council staff across North Northamptonshire are valued and respected. - Motion 2
• Motion 3: Proposed by Councillor Emily Fedorowycz and seconded by Councillor Ben Jameson, resolving to write to local Members of Parliament and the relevant Government Minister to call for an urgent review of the way business rates are set for local businesses within town centres. The motion argues that current rates are holding back the creation of new businesses and contributing to the decline of town centres.