Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Services

The Group Director of Services submitted a report (previously circulated) to enable Members to consider an application to revise the tariffs levied in respect of Hackney Carriage Fares.

The submitted report stated that Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 provided for a District Council to fix the rates of fares for Hackney Carriage Vehicles (HCV), and that it may fix the fares based on time as well as distance and any other charges that may be made in connection with the hiring of the vehicle.

It was reported that a formal request for an increase in tariffs had been made by the trade, and that following consultation three options for potential changes were proposed by representatives of the trade, with a fourth option being that the tariffs remain unchanged.

A separate option (‘Option 5’) was included within the submitted report and outlined a proposal for an additional charge levied by those vehicles carrying five or more passengers to reflect higher running costs (this option would only be applicable whilst the vehicle was carrying five passengers).

The submitted report highlighted the consultation that had taken place with the trade on the proposed options, and detailed the responses received. Consideration was also given to an ‘extra button’ which would add an extra amount to the meter for additional costs, such as drop off charges at airports, for example.

Members gave consideration to this report, noting that any increase in tariffs must reflect a balance between allowing licensed drivers to generate a reasonable income whilst representing value for money for the travelling public, and, in doing so, heard from a representative of the trade who was in attendance at the meeting.

RESOLVED – (a) That tariffs remain unchanged (‘Option 1’ within the submitted report); and

(b) That the proposal for an additional charge levied by those vehicles carrying five or more passengers be rejected (‘Option 5’ within the submitted report).