Agenda item

Purpose: to review the published hackney carriage fare scale in light of the current fuel costs and to determine the consultation process that must be undertaken if the Executive resolves to vary the current table of fares.

Resolved that Executive:

·         NOTES the existing tariffs which have been in place since 19 November 2021(Appendix A).

·         CONSIDERS the reasons for the proposals, the outcome of the recent non-statutory consultation undertaken with the Taxi Trade as set out in Appendix B and the views of the Licensing Committee.

·         RESOLVES whether or not to make variations to the current table of fares for hackney carriage tariffs based on the proposals set out in Appendix C or Ci to this report.

If the Executive decides to make any changes to the current table of fares they are asked to:

·         RESOLVE that the period within which objections to the variation(s) can be made (the statutory consultation) will be the 14 July 2022 to the 28 July 2022 or a longer period determined at the meeting.

·         AGREE that a public notice (akin to the one set out in Appendix D) will be placed in the Newbury Weekly News and the Reading Chronicle on the 14 July 2022.

·         AGREE that the consultation will be promoted on the website and a note will be displayed at the Market Street Offices by the 14 July 2022.

·         AGREE that a copy of the notice should be emailed individually to all West Berkshire licensed Hackney Carriage Proprietors for their comments.

·         NOTE that if objections are received, and not withdrawn, the Executive at its meeting on the 22 September 2022 will consider the objections and determine whether the varied table of fares shall be modified or not, and set a date when the varied table of fares, with or without modification, will come into operation. The implementation date must be no later than two months after the period for objections closes.

·         NOTE that if no objections are received, or if the objections are withdrawn, the varied table of fares will come into effect on the day after the statutory consultation closes.

·         NOTE that the outcome of the statutory consultation and any subsequent decisions of the Executive will be reported back to the next meeting of the Licensing Committee due to take place on the 07 November 2022.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 15 July 2022, then it will be implemented.

Councillor Marino, introduced and proposed the report (Agenda Item 11), and thanked Members for allowing its urgent review. The report reviewed the hackney carriage fare scale in the light of increasing fuel costs, and asked the Executive to consider a variation to the current table of fares which would be consulted on if this was recommended.

Councillor Marino reported that following informal consultation there had been support amongst the trade for both a 5% and 10% fare increase. As a consequence an increase of 8% was proposed.

Councillor Marino clarified that as an amendment to the report, fouling charges of £75 for the interior and £25 for the exterior of the vehicle were also being proposed.

Councillor Bridgman highlighted a required amendment to the fare tables suggesting a change in wording from ‘Maximum requirement’ to ‘Minimum requirement’. 

Councillor Marino clarified that should fuel prices reduce, the hackney carriage fares would be adjusted accordingly.

Councillor Somner encouraged the industry to explore alternatives to fuel, so as to avoid rising fuel costs in the future.

Councillor Vickers suggested that the notice of proposed fare changes be clearly displayed to all passengers.

RESOLVED that: Executive

·         NOTES the existing tariffs which have been in place since 19 November 2021(Appendix A).

·         CONSIDERS the reasons for the proposals, the outcome of the recent non-statutory consultation undertaken with the Taxi Trade as set out in Appendix B and the views of the Licensing Committee.

·         RESOLVES whether or not to make variations to the current table of fares for hackney carriage tariffs based on the proposals set out in Appendix C or Ci to this report.

If the Executive decides to make any changes to the current table of fares they are asked to:

·         RESOLVE that the period within which objections to the variation(s) can be made (the statutory consultation) will be the 14 July 2022 to the 28 July 2022 or a longer period determined at the meeting.

·         AGREE that a public notice (akin to the one set out in Appendix D) will be placed in the Newbury Weekly News and the Reading Chronicle on the 14 July 2022.

·         AGREE that the consultation will be promoted on the website and a note will be displayed at the Market Street Offices by the 14 July 2022.

·         AGREE that a copy of the notice should be emailed individually to all West Berkshire licensed Hackney Carriage Proprietors for their comments.

·         NOTE that if objections are received, and not withdrawn, the Executive at its meeting on the 22 September 2022 will consider the objections and determine whether the varied table of fares shall be modified or not, and set a date when the varied table of fares, with or without modification, will come into operation. The implementation date must be no later than two months after the period for objections closes.

·         NOTE that if no objections are received, or if the objections are withdrawn, the varied table of fares will come into effect on the day after the statutory consultation closes.

·         NOTE that the outcome of the statutory consultation and any subsequent decisions of the Executive will be reported back to the next meeting of the Licensing Committee due to take place on the 7 November 2022.

Other options considered:

·         Not to make any variations to the tariffs.

·         To delay the decision to make any variations until the September Executive meeting.