Issue - meetings

A request has been received by Mr David Lane on behalf of BCP taxi private hire association for a 4% increase in the current Hackney Carriage Tariff.

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 allows the council to fix the rates or fares within the district for time as well as distance.

Any change in the tariff will be reflected across all three current Hackney Carriage zones within the BCP Council conurbation.

The Licensing Manager presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Sub-Committee was advised that a request had been received by Mr David Lane, on behalf of BCP Taxi Private Hire Association, for a 4% increase in the current Hackney Carriage Tariff. The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 allowed the Council to fix the rates or fares within the district for time as well as distance. Any change in the tariff would be reflected across all three current Hackney Carriage zones within the BCP Council conurbation.

Mr David Lane was in attendance and responded to various questions raised by committee members, as follow:

• A further amendment was requested for the extra charge permitted for five or more passengers in a multi seater, on tariff 1 this went from £1.00 to £2.00 and on tariffs 2 and 3 from £1.25 to £2.00. This was to cover drivers that may have to drive some distance in for a job if a customer had requested a 6/8 seater vehicle. It was highlighted that the vehicles previously used as 6 seaters were no longer available for replacement and therefore drivers had to purchase 8 seater vehicles, which cost more. An additional fare would only be incurred if there were over 4 passengers in a 6/8 seater vehicle.
• Tarif 1 and 2 waiting times were there to recompensate drivers when they were stationary e.g. sat in traffic or or waiting at traffic lights.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee approve the request for an adjustment in the current fares and charges as requested.

Voting: Unanimous