Decision details

Request from Taxi Trade to Review Hackney Carriage Tariffs

Decision Maker: Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To consider a business case (Appendix A) submitted by representatives of the taxi trade to review the current table of fares in light of the current increase in the cost of fuel.

The report also outlines the statutory consultation process that must be undertaken if the Executive Director, on behalf of the Executive, with constitutional scheme of delegation powers to secure the provision of Public Protection Partnership functions, agrees to consult on the proposals set out in the business case.

Decision:

       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         that if objections are received and not withdrawn the Executive at its meeting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     x.         that if no objections are received, or if the objections are withdrawn, the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.

Reasons for the decision:

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.

Alternative options considered:

Not to increase the fares.

Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:

None

Reason Key: Affects more than 1 ward;

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Financial Impact: Included in the report

Declarations: None

Subject to Urgent Proceedings: No

Making Representations: In writing to the Executive Director: Delivery

Other reasons / organisations consulted

Consultation will be undertaken with the trade as well as residents and meter companies

Consultees

Taxi Trade, Bracknell Forest residents and meter companies

Contact: Damian James, Assistant Director: Contract Services Email: damian.james@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Tel: 01344 355157.

Publication date: 24/05/2022

Date of decision: 24/05/2022

Decided at meeting: 24/05/2022 - Executive

Effective from: 01/06/2022

Accompanying Documents:

 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk