Issue - meetings

Recommendations

1)    To approve the variation to the Council’s Hackney Carriage Table of Fares as set out in Appendix A.

2)    To approve the publication of the required statutory notices notifying of the variation approved in recommendation 14.1 above.

Considered – A report of the Assistant Director Regulation and Harbours seeking approval to vary the Council’s Hackney Carriage Table of Maximum Fares in response to requests from the taxi trade.  A proposed variation must be advertised for a specified period and approval was sought for publication of the required statutory notices.

The Executive Member for Culture, Arts and Housing, Councillor Simon Myers, introduced the report and outlined the increase in fuel prices and operating costs facing the taxi trade. The Council was required to follow a statutory process to vary fares, including consultation, and the proposal was to agree in principle a 5% increase across all tariffs and proceed to consultation before any final decision was made.  Lisa Ridsdale and Richard Fieldman, representatives of the taxi trade, made statements as detailed at Minute 901.

Executive Members considered the proposal and made the following key points:

·       the importance of maintaining a sustainable taxi service was acknowledged, particularly in rural areas where public transport options were limited

·       members of the trade were urged to make representations as part of the consultation. 

·       paragraph 3.6 of the report detailed the proposals which were for a 5% increase and effects across all tariffs were set out

Resolved (unanimously)

1)    That the variation to the Council’s Hackney Carriage Table of Fares as set out in Appendix A be approved

2)    That the publication of the required statutory notices notifying of the variation approved in recommendation 1) above be approved

Reasons for recommendation

The Council is expected to set and regularly review the maximum fares to be charged by hackney carriage drivers with a view to protecting the public and ensuring that licensees are fairly rewarded for their work.

Alternative options considered

The Council is not legally obligated to set the maximum rates of charges. However, the vast majority of licensing authorities do set maximum fares to provide certainty, consistency and, particularly in relation to occasional passengers, protection from unfair or unreasonable charges.

The Council may consider retaining the existing table of fares. However, this may impact on the ability of the hackney carriage trade to deliver a vital service.