Denbighshire County Council - Issue - items at meetings - PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE HC VEHICLES TABLE OF FARES AND CHARGES

To consider a report by the Head of Planning and Public Protection (copy enclosed) seeking members’ review of the current charges for hackney carriage vehicles (taxis).

RESOLVED that members –

(a) approve an amendment to the current table of charges as follows:

· Introduce option 2 of the costs per mile

· Introduce stepped changes in multiples of £0.10 per 1/20^th of a mile only

· Increase the soiling charge to £100

· Increase waiting time for Tariff 1 to £0.30 per minute

· Retain waiting time for Tariff 2 as £0.40 per minute

· Include Easter Sunday into Tariff 2

· Include wheelchairs and pushchairs in the exclusions to the luggage charge

· Retain the extra charge of £0.20 for each item of luggage outside the passenger compartment (excluding shopping)

· Introduce an extra charge of £0.20 for each domestic pet, excluding guide dogs

(b) authorise officers to prepare a report for Lead Member delegated decision to adopt the amendments in sub-paragraph (a) above;

(c) authorise officers to publish the changes in a local newspaper for the necessary consultation, and if no objections are received, they will come into effect on 1 February 2018, and

(d) request that where any objections are received, the Licensing Committee will consider those objections at their next meeting with a view to implementing (with or without modification) not later than 1 April 2018.

The Public Protection Business Manager submitted a report (previously circulated) seeking members’ review of the current tariff charges for hackney carriage vehicles (taxis).

Following a request by a delegation of licensed drivers to review the current tariff charges officers had consulted with all drivers to ascertain an appropriate tariff charge based on five options. Details of the responses received had been included within the report together with the authority’s position within the “league table” of taxis fares based on each option. Reference was made to the decision making process which was subject to further public notice and Lead Member delegated decision prior to implementation. It was proposed that any representations received in response to the public notice be referred back to the Licensing Committee for further consideration as part of that process.

Members discussed the decision making process with officers, particularly given that the relevant Lead Cabinet Member was also a member of the Licensing Committee, and officers agreed to seek further clarification in that regard. Officers also confirmed that the taxi meter tariffs related to the maximum fees and charges set and operators could charge a lower amount. Members noted the increase in fares and charges had been requested by a significant number of licensed drivers.