Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is for the committee to consider an increase to the fees charged by BCP Council for the administration of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licensing regime.

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, allows local authorities to set the fees charged to recover the costs associated with the administration and compliance of licensing drivers of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles.

Any change to the fees for vehicles and Private Hire Operators is subject to a 28-day minimum consultation period.

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

The Committee was asked to consider an increase of 4% to the fees charged by BCP Council in 2023 for the administration of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licensing regime.  The Licensing Manager explained that an increase greater than 4% ran the risk of losing drivers to neighbouring authorities. It was noted that any change to the fees for vehicles and Private Hire Operators would be subject to a 28-day minimum consultation period.

In response to various questions raised by the Committee, the Licensing Manager advised that:

• It appeared that the BCP application fee was significantly less than what Dorset County Council and Southampton City Council charged, however, BCP charged an application fee, and once approved, drivers then had to pay an additional licence fee, which brought the total cost to £275. In addition, BCP charged more for a 3-year licence.
• The figures given for Southampton City Council and Dorset County Council were up to date.
• A fee review had been undertaken across the service and by law, the authority could only charge fees on a cost recovery basis. It was a challenging process to ensure that vehicles and drivers were operating safely whilst working on a cost recovery basis.
• Any changes to Driver Licence fees would be implemented from 1 April 2024 and changes to Vehicle Licences and Operators Licences would be implemented at the conclusion of the consultation period and/or any other Licensing Committee meeting that may be required.

RESOLVED that the Licensing Committee agree the proposed fees as stated.