Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Email: committees@midsussex.gov.uk 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Allen, Forbes, Knight, Mockford and Smith.

 

2.

To receive Declarations of Interest from Members in respect of any matter on the Agenda.

Minutes:

None.

3.

To confirm the Minutes of the previous meetings held on 8 February and 11 May 2022. pdf icon PDF 202 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 February and 11 May 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

4.

To consider any items that the Chairman agrees to take as urgent business.

Minutes:

None.

5.

Request for Increase in Hackney Carriage Fares 2022. pdf icon PDF 225 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman advised that at the last committee meeting the Members had resolved to wait six months before reviewing an increase in Hackney Carriage fares, as fuel prices had risen sharply the matter would be reviewed early.

 

Gary Newman, Licensing Officer introduced the report which asked the Committee to consider a proposal from a section of the Taxi trade requesting an increase in the Hackney Carriage fares.  The Committee were advised that Hackney Carriages are set and regulated by the Council, drivers are not permitted to charge more than the metered fare. In February 2022 a proposal to increase the fare was received by Station Taxis on behalf of a section of the Hackney trade.  The last increase in fares was in  2018 and during the last 3 years there has been an increase in the cost of living, fuel and maintenance costs. At the meeting on 8 February  the Committee  resolved to reconsider the tariffs in 6 months’ time.  The Officer noted that the Mid Sussex Taxi Association had been inactive since 2018. The taxi trade has experienced additional costs since February 2022 including: the introduction of  Statutory Standards, the roll out of mandatory training, the planned introduction of CCTV in vehicles, future loss of income due to the effects of the pandemic, and increased cost of fuel and a general rise in the cost of living.

 

The Officer advised that Appendix 1 detailed the new proposal received from Mr Andrew Harding, a MSDC Hackney Driver.  The proposal suggested keeping the same three tariff system, hiring times and bank holidays remain the same with a straight increase of 40 pence across all tariffs; tariff 1 starting at £3.60, tariff 2 £5.40 and tariff 3 £7.20; after the first 140ms the yardage would also reduce to 130ms. He also noted additional costs incurred by the drivers of pollution and airport drop off charges.  He highlighted that the increase in the soiling charge was to reflect cost of professional cleaning of the vehicle and the loss of earnings whilst the vehicle was cleaned. Appendix 2 contained the drivers’ signatures, appendix 3 listed the current tariff and appendix 4 the proposal by Mr Harding and a comparison in appendix 5.  The Officer advised the  Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 provides the power and mechanism for the local authority to set fares for Hackney Carriages. 

 

The Chairman advised there were two speakers Mr Mark Humphrey and Mr Andrew Harding; he noted that the fuel price is determined by taking  an average cost from petrol stations.

 

Mr Andrew Harding addressed the Committee and thanked them for considering his proposal.  He reiterated there had been no increase in fares for three years and the cost to run a taxi had increased significantly, noting the cost of maintenance, fuel and tyres.  Many drivers had thought the previous proposal of a five-tier tariff as too complicated and had not signed  the signature list.  The proposal was for the same three-tier tariff with a fare increase,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 10.2 due notice of which has been given.

Minutes:

None.