Agenda item

Purpose: to review the published hackney carriage fare scale in light of a request from the Taxi Trade to modify the tariffs 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 29 July 2022 (Appendix A).

·         CONSIDERS the proposed modifications from the Taxi Trade (Appendix B) and the outcome of the recent non-statutory consultation undertaken with the Taxi Trade as set out in Appendix C.

·         RESOLVES, with the exception of the fouling charge, whether or not to make variations to the current table of fares for hackney carriage tariffs based on the proposals set out in Appendix B this report.

·         CONSIDERS whether or not to include a fouling charge on the tariff card and if so RESOLVES that a £100 (interior) and £25 (exterior) charge be consulted on.

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 11 May 2023 to the 25 May 2023 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 11 May 2023.

·         AGREE that the consultation will be promoted on the website and a note will be displayed at the Market Street Offices by the 11 May 2023.

·         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·         NOTE that if objections are received, and not withdrawn, the Executive at the 08 June  2023 meeting will consider the objections and determine whether the varied table of fares shall be modified or not, and set a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·         NOTE that if no objections are received, or if the objections are withdrawn, the varied table of fares will come into effect on the day after the statutory consultation closes.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 July meeting of the Licensing Committee.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 31 March 2023, then it will be implemented.

Councillor Tom Marino introduced and proposed the report (Agenda Item 14), noting that it was being bought to Executive earlier than preceding years at a request from the taxi trade to modify the tariffs and assist with their planning. It was noted that the Council would be consulting on an interior fouling charge of £100, rather than the £200 suggested by the trade.

Councillor Lee Dillon raised concern at the impact taxis had on the home based community when parked up and suggested that where the Council provided a taxi licence, it should also ensure that there was adequate overnight storage provision for that vehicle. Councillor Marino agreed to discuss the suggestion with officers. 

Councillor Graham Bridgman commented that the paper had been thoroughly debated at Licensing Committee and that the relationship with the trade was greatly improved to previous years. Councillor Bridgman expressed disappointment in the legal advice that fares could not be split and suggested that the legislation be investigated further.  Councillor Bridgman seconded the recommendations within the report.

RESOLVED that: Executive

·         NOTES the existing tariffs which have been in place since 29 July 2022 (Appendix A).

·         CONSIDERS the proposed modifications from the Taxi Trade (Appendix B) and the outcome of the recent non-statutory consultation undertaken with the Taxi Trade as set out in Appendix C.

·         RESOLVES, with the exception of the fouling charge, whether or not to make variations to the current table of fares for hackney carriage tariffs based on the proposals set out in Appendix B this report.

·         CONSIDERS whether or not to include a fouling charge on the tariff card and if so RESOLVES that a £100 (interior) and £25 (exterior) charge be consulted on.

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 11 May 2023 to the 25 May 2023 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 11 May 2023.

·         AGREE that the consultation will be promoted on the website and a note will be displayed at the Market Street Offices by the 11 May 2023.

·         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 the 08 June  2023 meeting 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 July meeting of the Licensing Committee.