Agenda and minutes

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Licensing Manager

The Licensing Manager presented a report which provided members with the results and feedback of a consultation with the local licensed trade regarding options for hackney carriages fares as part of the tariff review for the coming year.

Members of the Licensing Committee were required to make recommendations to Cabinet on preferred options prior to formal public consultation and approval by Cabinet.

The Committee was advised that Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 made provision for the Council to fix the rates of fares within the district for time, distance and all other charges in connection with the hire of a hackney carriage. The current table of fares was appended to the report for consideration by the Committee.

The Committee was advised that the current method for calculating fares was that the Retail Price Index (RPI) was applied annually across the tariff, including flag rate and rolling rate, rounding down to the nearest 5p.

It was reported that, at the last meeting of the Licensing Committee, members had been presented with options which included maintaining the current table of fares, deregulation of fare setting and setting additional charges. Additionally, a further option that amended yardage was proposed at the meeting.

Members had resolved to consult directly with the licensed trade regarding the options, and also to ask a supplementary question regarding extra charges post 9pm and any potential impact this might have on the local trade.

The Committee was advised that an email detailing the options was sent to over 400 members of the local trade, this included drivers, vehicle operators and private hire operators. A copy of the email was appended to the report.

A total of 28 responses had been received and a summary of these was appended to the report for members consideration.

It was reported that not all the responses had included a definitive answer to a preferred option, instead preferring to provide insight into hackney carriage fares and other matters affecting the local licensed trade. A total of 15 responses provided a definitive answer that fares should be maintained for a further 12 months, 7 responses supported the option to apply retail price index (RPI) (6.1%). None felt that deregulation was a viable option and 2 supported the additional option to amend yardage and apply RPI. 9 responses were against introducing a separate charge for journeys made after a specific time and 5 supported the proposal.

The Committee discussed the various options and considered the consultation responses and felt that there was little appetite from the trade for a change in the fares at this time.

It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton-Cox and seconded by Councillor Cozler:

“That the Committee propose to Cabinet that there be no increase on the current table of fares”.

A vote was taken and unanimously agreed.

Resolved:

“That the Committee propose to Cabinet that there be no increase on the current table of fares”.