Bracknell Forest Council
Record of Decision
Work Programme Reference
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I106347 |
1. |
TITLE: |
Request from Taxi Trade to Review Hackney Carriage Tariffs
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2. |
SERVICE AREA: |
Delivery
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3. |
PURPOSE OF DECISION
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To feedback on any responses during statutory consultation in relation to the hackney carriage table of fares and determine whether or not to modify the hackney carriage fare scale in light of the objection received (and not withdrawn) during the consultation period, if any.
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IS KEY DECISION |
Yes
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5. |
DECISION MADE BY: |
Executive
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6. |
DECISION:
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i. the existing tariffs which have been in place since 01 August 2021 are noted.
ii. That the business case put forward by the trade is considered.
iii. That if statutory consultation should be undertaken on revisions to the table of fares for hackney carriage tariffs based on the proposals set out in Appendix D to the report.
iv. the consultation will run from the 01 June 2022 to the 15 June 2022.
v. that a public notice (as set out in Appendix E) will be placed in the Bracknell News on the 01 June 2022.
vi. that the consultation will be promoted on both the Bracknell Forest Council and the Public Protection Partnership’s website and a note will be displayed at the Time Square Offices by the 01 June 2022.
vii. a copy of the notice should be emailed individually to all Bracknell licensed Hackney Carriage Proprietors for their comments.
viii. that the Licensing and Safety Committee will, at the 23 June 2022 meeting, be asked to note any responses received during the period of consultation.
ix. that if objections are received and not withdrawn the Executive at its meeting on the 19 July 2022 will consider the business case alongside any objections and determine whether the proposed varied table of fares, with or without modification, will come in to operation and the revised implementation date.
x. that if no objections are received, or if the objections are withdrawn, the proposed table of fares, as set out in Appendix D, will come into effect on the 16 June 2022.
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7. |
REASON FOR DECISION
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1. Local authorities have a statutory power to set the maximum fares that licensed hackney carriages (taxis) can charge for a journey. Under section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, local authorities have the power to “…fix the rates or fares within the district as well for time as distance, and all other charges in connection with the hire of a vehicle or with the arrangements for the hire of a vehicle, to be paid in respect of the hire of hackney carriages by means of a table (hereafter in this section referred to as a “table of fares”) made or varied in accordance with the provisions of this section.”
2. The current tariff scale was agreed in 2021. The taxi trade have submitted a business case asking for the tariffs to be reviewed urgently in light of the current fuel prices. It should be noted that it has previously been agreed that the tariffs would be consulted on annually. This request is just expediting that process. The cost of fuel could be revisited during the 2023 consultation on tariffs.
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8. |
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED
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Not to increase the fares.
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9. |
DOCUMENT CONSIDERED: |
Report of the Executive Director: Delivery
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10. |
DECLARED CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: |
None
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Date Decision Made |
Final Day of Call-in Period |
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24 May 2022 |
31 May 2022 |
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