Agenda item

Jon Bryant, Senior Licensing Officer introduced the report which asked the Committee to consider a request by Station Taxis of Burgess Hill , on behalf of the Hackney Trade to increase the Hackney Carriage Fares. It was noted that they have already increased the fares charged by their Private Hire vehicles.   The recommendations were to: (a) Agree with the submitted proposal and amend and increase the tariff by the requested amounts, (b) Consider an alternative increase to the existing three tariffs, (c) Consider no increase to the tariff or (d) Review the request in 6 months.  The officer advised the tariff for Hackney Carriages is set by the Council, but Hackney Carriages can charge a rate below the metered rate.   He highlighted that the Mid Sussex Taxis Association has not been active since 2018.  Station Taxis petitioned interested parties and then made their representation to the Licensing Team, the Licensing Team canvassed all Hackney Carriage Drivers and 50% replied.  55% of the responses were in favour of the increase. 

He advised that there has been one increase in the last seven years, in 2018 and the drivers have incurred increased costs. The additional costs include the introduction of statutory standards: mandatory training, installation of CCTV and loss of income due to the pandemic.  There are currently three tariffs, and the proposal is to introduce five tariffs to cover unsociable hours and increase the waiting time rate.  The  Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 provides the power and mechanism for the local authority to set fares for Hackney Carriages, the costs to advertise any change in the tariffs would be met from the existing budget.

The Chairman highlighted to the Committee that some drivers were concerned that they were losing money whilst others thought the fare increase might reduce the number of people using Hackney Carriages.

Members agreed a fare increase was a balancing act and discussed the rate of inflation, increased costs incurred by the drivers and the possible change in the way the public use Hackney Carriages (particularly lone females and families) of an increase in fares and introduction of a 5-band tariff.  They noted some of the increased costs could be tax deductible and thought the timings for the 5-band tariff needed to be clearer.

Some Members were concerned that only 55% had responded to the canvass by the Licensing Team.  The Members suggested reviewing the request for an increase once more data was available.

In response to a Member’s questions the Senior Licensing Officer confirmed that all Hackney Carriage drivers are self-employed but they may rent out their cars to other licence holders. He was not aware of the impact of the increase in Private Hire charges by Station Taxis and the Hackney Trade could ask for an annual review of the Hackney Carriage tariff.

Councillor Marsh proposed recommendation (d) that the Licensing Team review the request in six months, this was seconded by Councillor Cromie. 

As there were no further questions the Chairman took Members to a vote which was agreed with 11 votes in favour and 1 against.

RESOLVED

That the Committee review the request in six months.