Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 16 December 2014.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2014 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest received.

Purpose: To inform Members of a request from the taxi trade to make a variation to the taxi table of fares, both in format and in the way that fares are calculated.

Mr Brian Leahy introduced (Agenda Item 4). He explained that the Licensing Committee had the powers to set a maximum fare charged by Hackney Carriages. This meant that the taxi trade could not charge more than the fares or fees specified but were clearly permitted to charge less.

There were two elements of this decision; a revision to the way fares would be calculated and a new tariff card (or list of fares). The proposal submitted by the West Berkshire Hackney and Private Hire Association was shown at Appendix B.

The report (Item 4) included consultation responses on the proposed new tariffs from the taxi trade with all feedback reported in its entirety.

Following the start of the consultation, a revised table of fares was submitted and based on legal advice this was considered as a response to the consultation process (shown at Appendix C) but this would not mean that the consultation process need to be restarted.

Brian Leahy (Licensing Manager) explained that there were more objections received as part of the consultation to the proposed changes (described in Appendix B) than responses in favour of change. Members had to decide between changing the tariff structure to one of the suggested options shown at (Appendix B or Appendix C) or keeping fares the same as at present.

Brian Leahy brought to the Committee’s attention Mr Castle’s comments on page 52 of the agenda papers which suggested that Tariff 3 could be adopted 24 hours a day 7 days a week as a further alternative to the proposed changes, as an absolute maximum tariff.

In accordance with paragraph 7.12.14 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman proposed suspension of standing orders to allow Members of the trade to participate in the discussion and respond to questions Committee members might have. This was seconded and the Committee voted in favour of this proposal.

Councillor Peter Argyle asked the representatives of the trade if they would like to speak for 10 minutes for and against the proposal. There were no representatives to speak against the matter.

Mr Sheikh, from the West Berkshire Hackney and Private Hire Association, spoke on behalf of the local taxi trade. He informed the Committee that he had worked with both Matt Castle and Richard Brown (Theale Taxis) on the new proposal and they considered this to be a simple and concise way to calculate the new maximum tariffs. This was a collective view of the trade which had been worked up over six months.

Mr Sheikh mentioned that there had been no increase of the maximum tariffs since April 2013 and stated that the increase in fares under the new proposal was marginal. Furthermore the trade wanted to use restructuring of the fares to create a system that was easier for the public to understand. There would actually be a reduction in fare between the hours of 10pm to 12 midnight. He explained that whilst fuel costs had decreased that there were other indicators which showed the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Purpose: To inform Members of a request from the taxi trade to standardise livery and advertising on West Berkshire taxis.

Brian Leahy introduced the report on Taxi Livery and Advertising (Item 5). He summarised that there were standards in place which restricted the size and content of advertising which could be displayed on West Berkshire Hackney Carriage vehicles. Brian Leahy explained the difficulties of effectively enforcing a policy of advertising on vehicles and the officer view was to withdraw all advertising other than basic livery (i.e. a light and two door stickers).

Councillor Tony Linden asked if the livery included ‘no smoking’ signs. Brian Leahy clarified that ‘no smoking’ signs were a requirement under different legislation.

In accordance with paragraph 7.12.14 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman proposed suspension of standing orders to allow Members of the trade to participate in the discussion and respond to questions Committee members might have. This was seconded and the Committee voted in favour of this proposal.

Mr Sheikh welcomed the move towards a uniform approach but wished to see opportunities to advertise within limits as described in his correspondence published at Appendix C.

The Chairman expressed the view that the Council could potentially be open to challenge on any criteria brought in to approve advertisements.

Mr Brown proposed that the same size advertising as the front door sticker should be allowed and that this could be enforced during the annual licence approval process.

Councillor Quentin Webb asked if the trade wanted to only advertise the name of the operator or whether other products or brands were being suggested. Mr Sheikh confirmed that they only wished to advertise their own services and these adverts would be the same size as those currently permitted on the doors.

Councillor Bryant did not see any significant harm from additional advertisements on vehicles so long as the standard livery was still visible. He equally commented that this was common to advertise other companies on London cabs and believed this could provide an added source of revenue for the taxi operators.

Mr Brown explained that that there was a need for consistency. The trade wished to see their cars looking smart and having a uniform look. He felt that large amounts of advertising on vehicles might be covering up rust or damage underneath. 

Councillor Billy Drummond did not see this as a problem so long as the car was still roadworthy and safe to use as a taxi.

Members of the Committee then decided to reintroduce Standard Orders to not allow any more comment from the public.

Councillor Mollie Lock commented that it was nice to have uniformity on such vehicles as it helped provide a sense of identity and pride for the taxi operators. She acknowledged that control of the advertising could not be effectively enforced.

Brian Leahy informed the Committee that if members were minded to agree with the proposals they must consider the difficulties this presents to officers in enforcing the conditions. Members could defer their decision until the June meeting where further options could be presented.

Councillor Mollie Lock suggested to the Committee that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.