Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2022 are attached for confirmation and signature as a current record.  

Members noted part of the previous Decision was to review the Hackney Carriage Tariffs in no more than 12 months.

The minutes of 7 June 2022 were agreed and confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To receive any apologies for absence from Members*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they will be absent.

Apologies were received from:

Councillor Crisp (substituted by Councillor Blewett)

Councillor Coburn

Councillor Delaney

Councillor Lamb (substituted by Councillor Engström)

To declare disclosable pecuniary, and any other, interests*.

*Note: Members are asked to email Committee Services in advance of the meeting as soon as they become aware they may have an interest to declare.

None declared.

The Chairman announced:

·         Following previous discussions of members wanting to be able to shadow officers on enforcement visits, the Chairman had requested this.  The Shared Services Team would shortly send dates for anyone who wished to attend.

·         The September meeting will be cancelled as the Business Charity Policy is out for consultation and this will finish the date of that meeting. The November meeting will also be cancelled and brought forward to October to discuss the Business Charity Policy at an early date.

Members asked why the consultation was issued late so the scheduled timeframe could not be met. Officers clarified it was not issued later, there is a 12-week statuary consultation period which meant it clashed with the next meeting.

Members noted the logic of reviewing that policy at the earliest opportunity after consultation.

Members requested it be noted as it is not known what will come up between now and November, it appears premature to cancel the November at this time.

The Chairman reserved the right to reinstate the November meeting if necessary.

To consider the objections to the proposed variation of the Hackney Carriage table of fares following public consultation.

RECOMMENDATION

Licensing Committee is recommended to:

1.    consider the objections to the proposed variation of hackney carriage fares; and either:

·       determine that no changes are necessary to the advertised fares with the published fare update becoming effective as soon as the meters can be updated, or

·       determine whether to modify the table of fares approved by the Committee at its last meeting, and to set the commencement date for any new table of fares;

2.    approve a Fare Schedule and its implementation date as soon as practicable.

Officers explained it was only the objections be reviewed as representations are not part of the Act.  There had been support shown by a number of the drivers, but they are not part of this consideration.

The objections were all from drivers apart from one public body. The responses in the main support the discussion at the last meeting about the balance between supporting the drivers and supporting the public. The public body commented this would go against the new Taxi and Private Hire Disability and Persons Act Section 167(a).

Members are requested to either uphold the decision made at the previous meeting and agree the proposed tariffs or members could modify the table of fares.

Members discussed:

·         If officers were confident all representation marked as from drivers were. Officers confirmed they were.

·         In reference to the parish council’s discrimination comments, if provision of a taxi share scheme existed within Hart that would enable a discounted rate. Officers confirmed there was, and the figures are the maximum amount in the tariff. Drivers can agree lower charges with the customer.

·         As no objections had been received from residents, was it thought a fair assumption the previous consideration the committee gave to keeping value for money and cost low had been well received. Officers had ensured the consultation had been widely received over social media, consulted with parishes in the Borough and had ensured it was published, so was widely out there for everybody to review.

·         The effective date for implementation. Officers advised a date of 10 August 2022 would be confirmed with the people responsible for updating the meters, if agreed this evening.

DECISION

1)    That no changes are necessary to the advertised fares with the published fare update becoming effective as soon as the meters can be updated.

2)    Ongoing reviews of no more than 12 months. Reviews to be undertaken by both Shared Services and Licensing Committee.