Issue - meetings

To consider Report No. OS2008 (copy attached), which sets out a proposed way forward following a public consultation exercise on possible changes to the current scheme of hackney carriage fares.

The Cabinet considered Report No. OS2008, which set out a proposed way forward following a public consultation exercise on possible changes to the current scheme of hackney carriage fares. The Cabinet was informed that the Council had received 116 responses to the public consultation exercise, of which 112 were from members of the taxi trade. All of the 116 responses made objections to the Council’s published proposals. The Operational Services Portfolio Holder, along with the Head of Operational Services and other officers, had met with members of the taxi trade where their concerns had been discussed. Following this meeting, it was felt that the Council’s proposals should be withdrawn at this time. Members were informed that a review of the Council’s taxi licensing policy was ongoing and it was proposed that a further review of the scheme of fares should be carried out as part of this process. It was further suggested that the use of a specialist consultant at this time would enable the Council and the taxi trade to provide clearer evidence to assist the negotiation of an amended scheme of fares that would be acceptable to all parties.

The Cabinet was supportive of the proposed approach, and, in particular, requested that the review should consider the equity of the £1 extra charge when a journey crossed the Borough’s border, such as with trips to or from Frimley Park Hospital.

The Cabinet RESOLVED that

(i)           the withdrawal of the proposed variation to the existing scheme of hackney carriage fares, as set out in Report No. OS1909 (Cabinet 16th December, 2019), be approved;

(ii)          the existing scheme of hackney carriage fares (effective from 1st September, 2018) be retained and the consideration of amendments to the scheme be undertaken as part of the future review of the Council’s taxi licensing policy. The review to be supported by the engagement of a specialist consultant; and

(iii)         the 3.4% notional uplift for 2019/20 be taken into account as part of the fares review.