Issue - meetings

Consultation on Variation to Scheme of Hackney Carriage Fares 2018

Meeting: 30/07/2018 - Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee (Item 10)

10 Consultation on Proposed Variation to the Scheme of Hackney Carriage Fares pdf icon PDF 998 KB

To consider the Head of Environmental Health and Housing’s Report No. EHH1820 (copy attached), which outlines proposals to vary the current scheme of hackney carriage fares.   The Committee is requested to consider the proposals and, as a specified consultee in the review process, make comments or recommendations for consideration by the Cabinet on determination. 

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Head of Environmental Health and Housing’s Report No. EHH1820, which outlined proposals to vary the current scheme of hackney carriage fares.  The proposals had received provisional approval from the Cabinet and had been published for consultation with the last date for representations and comments being 31st July 2018.  Given the role and responsibilities of the Committee, its views were being sought on any proposed change to the scheme of fares.  It was noted that, should there be no representations or objections to the proposals, the proposed scheme would be introduced from 1st September, 2018.  However, if there were significant objections to the proposals, these would have to be taken back to the Cabinet for consideration. 

 

The Report set out the proposed variations, including a direct uplift to the pull-off charges and the consolidation of the night time and Bank Holiday rates, which had been submitted by the taxi trade.  The trade was also proposing to present charges at time, time and a half, and double time across meter rates 1, 3 and 4 and sought to apply a £1 flat fee for each of the current extra charges.  The trade was also suggesting that there should be a general policy that all hackney carriages must accept credit or debit card payments.  However, as the mandatory provision of credit/debit card payment facilities would represent a change to current policy, this specific matter had been deferred from the public consultation pending a review of the Council’s taxi licensing policy. 

 

The Report set out the implications of the proposals, together with a comparison of benchmark taxi journeys and the legal and equality impact implications.  It was noted that the Council’s taxi licensing policy specified that the Council should undertake an annual review of taxi fares.  Whilst subject to an approved methodology, the taxi trade had submitted its own proposals for consideration.  The proposals for variation had to be subject to public consultation and, where appropriate, all representations and comments would be taken back to the Cabinet for consideration before determination.  By law, any advertised proposal would automatically take effect in the event that it did not attract any significant representations or comments.   It was therefore proposed that any revised scheme would take effect from 1st September, 2018.

 

During discussion, Members raised questions regarding credit card payments and the ability to negotiate fares payable on journeys outside of the Borough.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet be advised of the Committee’s support of the proposals set out in the Head of Environmental Health and Housing’s Report No. EHH1820.

 

NOTE:   Cllr M.S. Choudhary declared a prejudicial interest in this item in respect of his profession and, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, left the meeting during the discussion and voting thereon.