Cabinet Member for Environment
Decision:
It was RESOLVED:
That Cabinet following consideration of Licensing and Regulatory Committee’s recommendations, adopts the revised table of fares, whether modified or not, attached Appendix A to this report, and in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, set a new date for the varied table of fares to become effective no later than two months after the specified date of 1 April 2021.
Reason for Decision: To adopt the revised table of fares for Hackney Carriages within the Babergh District.
Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:
1.1 Officers have undertaken the statutory public consultation exercise as instructed by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee at the meeting of 9 October 2020. The Licensing and Regulatory Committee in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 considered the two options set out below, whilst having had due regard for objections received, which have not been withdrawn. Objections which have been received are attached to this report as Appendix C.
Option 1
That the Licensing and Regulatory Committee was minded that no change was necessary to the revised table of fares fixed for Hackney Carriages operating in the controlled zone of the Babergh District.
Option 2
That the Licensing and Regulatory Committee was minded, to modify the revised table of fares fixed for Hackney Carriages operating in the controlled zone of the Babergh District.
1.2 The Licensing and Regulatory Committee following consideration of the options above made the following recommendations to Cabinet that:
(i) option 1 be approved and the revised table of fares attached to this report as Appendix A, for Hackney Carriages within the controlled zone of the Babergh District be adopted; and
(ii) once adopted the revised table of fares shall become effective on 5 April 2021.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Minutes:
67.1 A break was taken from 13:10 pm to 13:30pm.
67.2 The Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Malvisi, introduced the report which had been considered by the Licensing and Regulatory Committee at the meeting on 11 November 2020, following Statutory Public Consultation.
67.3 Councillor Malvisi provided Members with an overview of the proposed revised the table of fares, and thanked the Officers involved for their hard work.
67.4 The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Malvisi and seconded by Councillor Ward.
67.5 The Assistant Manager for Food, Safety and Licensing responded to questions from Councillor Parker and provided confirmation that all operators in the District had been invited to the virtual meeting held with members of the trade. The Officer also commented on the fairness of the tariffs and advised Members that there had been no comments received from members of the public on the tariffs following public consultation.
67.6 Following a question from Councillor Holt, the Assistant Manager for Food, Safety and Licensing commented on the transparency of the pricing structure for larger vehicles and the discretion afforded to drivers for setting journey prices depending on the occupancy.
67.7 Councillor Arthey queried whether the fare was based on the number of passengers or the size of the vehicle. The Assistant Manager for Food, Safety and Licensing confirmed that the proposed fares were based on the vehicle size.
67.8 Following a query from Councillor McCraw, the Licensing Officer confirmed that the tariffs proposed are a maximum rate, and drivers are able to use their discretion to charge less. The Licensing Officer also confirmed that there would be a cost involved to the operator should a meter require changing.
67.9 Members debated the report on issues including the tariff for larger vehicles, the transparency of the tariffs, whether the fares should be based on number of passengers rather than the size of the vehicles and expressed concern over the tariff.
67.10 The Assistant Manager for Food, Safety and Licensing, and the Licensing Officer responded to further questions from Members regarding the rationale for using vehicle size rather than passenger numbers for the tariff.
67.11 Councillor Busby suggested that the proposal for the new rates be accepted, however the tariff for 5-8 seater vehicles be returned to the Licensing and Regulatory Committee to enable them to consider the issues raised.
67.12 The Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships provided confirmation that should the recommendations be accepted, the Licensing Team would regularly monitor and review the tariffs.
By 7 votes to 1
It was RESOLVED:
That Cabinet following consideration of Licensing and Regulatory Committee’s recommendations, adopts the revised table of fares, whether modified or not, attached Appendix A to this report, and in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, set a new date for the varied table of fares to become effective no later than two months after the specified date of 1 April 2021.
Reason for Decision: To adopt the revised table of fares for Hackney Carriages within the Babergh District.
Any Declarations of Interest Declared: None
Any Dispensation Granted: None
Supporting documents: