Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Cherry, Dabell, Kenny, Marsh and Platts.

None.

On the advice of the Director for Resources and Organisational Development Nathan Mountney, Solicitor to the Licensing Committee confirmed the minutes of the meetings held on 7 February and 24 May 2023 were correct.  The minutes were approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

None.

The Chairman proposed Councillors Henwood, Knight, Marsh, Mockford and Wood as the members of Licensing Sub-Committee A for the 2023/24 Council year. Sub-Committee A deals with matters relating to taxi licensing.

This was seconded by Councillor Mockford and agreed by a general affirmation.

RESOLVED

That Councillors Henwood, Knight, Marsh, Mockford and Wood be elected to the Licensing Sub-Committee A for the 2023/24 Council year.

Jon Bryant, Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report which asked the Committee to annually review the Hackney Carriage fares.  He highlighted that at the meeting of the Licensing Committee on 28^th June 2022 it was agreed that a rolling year on year review should be considered by the Committee.  The rate of inflation would be used for any proposed increase followed by a statutory consultation with the trade and the public. When reviewing the tariff card, the Committee must consider community safety to ensure the availability of sufficient licenced taxis.  A low tariff could reduce the income for taxi drivers and reduce the availability of taxis, whilst a higher charge could impact the health and wellbeing of vulnerable groups, the elderly and disabled. He noted that the Council has no power to set fares charged by Private Hire Vehicles.

Members discussed the impact of previously high fuel costs on the current tariff card and when the night-time tariff is charged.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed the previously high fuel costs have now dropped and the additional fee is no longer charged. He confirmed that councils in East and West Sussex have a night-time tariff, in Mid Sussex this tariff has always started at midnight.

As there were no further questions the Chairman took the Members to a vote on recommendations A and B, which was approved with 9 votes in favour and 1 abstention.

RESOLVED

That the Committee do not introduce an annual review of the Hackney Carriage Tariff but will review on request by the trade, with no variation to the tariff this year.

None.