Agenda item

Report of Licensing Manager.

The Licensing Manager introduced a report to enable members to consider a proposed variation of the current level of hackney carriage fares.

Members were reminded that the current hackney carriage table of fares came into effect on 1 September 2008. In February 2011, 4 requests had been received from hackney carriage proprietors and 1 from the Lancaster City Hackney Carriage Proprietors Association for a variation of the current level of hackney carriage fares.

It was advised that the requested variations had differed, for example the range of proposals for the first 880 yards was between £2.40 and £2.80. The committee were advised that while they were open to approve any of the requests, officers had taken all of the requests into account and produced a suggested variation which was set out in full in the report.

Members were informed that Financial Services had confirmed that the latest available Retail Price Index (RPI) was 5.1%.

The committee discussed the options available in detail and asked questions of the Licensing Manager. It was noted that the cost of petrol had increased considerably since the last time the current fares were agreed in 2008.

It was advised that the hackney carriage fares reflected the maximum that could be charged, and that hackney carriage drivers were able to charge less if they wished.

 It was proposed by Councillor Day and seconded by Councillor Brown: -

"(1)             That the proposed variation of hackney carriage fares be approved as set out in the report.

 (2)     That the Head of Governance be authorised, in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, to give public notice of the Council’s intention to vary its Hackney Carriage Table of Fares.”

Upon being put to the vote members voted unanimously in favour of the proposition, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposition to be carried. 

Resolved:

(1)               That the proposed variation of hackney carriage fares be approved as set out in the report and below.

Tariff one – normal daytime charge 

£2.60 for the first 880 yards or uncompleted part thereof

20p for each subsequent 220 yards or uncompleted part thereof

15p waiting time for each period of 60 seconds or uncompleted part thereof   

Tariff two – between midnight and 7.00am

£3.90 for the first 880 yards or uncompleted part thereof

30p for each subsequent 220 yards or uncompleted part thereof.

20p waiting time for each period of 60 seconds or uncompleted part thereof

                  Tariff three –Christmas period

5.20 for the first 880 yards or uncompleted part thereof

40p for each subsequent 220 yards or uncompleted part thereof

30p waiting time for each period of 60 seconds or uncompleted part thereof

To include the wording on the tariff card:-

‘The driver may, at his/her discretion require the payment of an agreed amount in advance of the journey. A receipt will be given. The amount will be set against the metered fare.’

(2)               That the Head of Governance be authorised, in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, to give public notice of the Council’s intention to vary its Hackney Carriage Table of Fares.