Minutes:
10.1 Kay Sanders, Licensing Officer presented Paper MLR/19/4 to the Committee. The report considered the response to the public consultation including objections received against the revised table of fares fixed for Hackney Carriages operating in the controlled zone of the Mid Suffolk District, which the Licensing and Regulatory Committee approved for public consultation at the Meeting on 7 February 2020.
10.2 Local authorities have the power to fix the maximum rates of fares for hackney carriages within their District by virtue of section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
10.3 The Licensing Officer and Legal Advisor responded to Members’ questions on issues including: Government legislation on the wearing of face coverings on public transport and why Mid Suffolk have a call-out charge. It was noted that the call-out charge is discretionary.
10.4 The Committee considered the three options set out in paragraph 2.1 of the report, and the following were among the points discussed: removal of call-out charge, difficulties getting taxis in Stowmarket in the evenings, comparison of night-rate tariffs with other Council areas.
10.5 Councillor Muller proposed that the alternative proposed table of fares attached as Appendix E be recommended to Cabinet for approval. Councillor Brewster seconded the proposal.
10.6 The vote was taken by roll call, and by 5 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions, the Motion was carried.
10.7 It was RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:
1. That the alternative table of fares attached as Appendix E to Paper MLR/19/4 be adopted.
2. That, in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the date for the varied table of fares to become effective be agreed as Monday 27 July 2020.
Supporting documents: