Issue - meetings

To consider the level of 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 and Trading Standards Manager presented a report on the proposed fees for administering the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire licensing regime, 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.

Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Council may set fees on a cost?recovery basis for licensing drivers, vehicles, and private hire operators. A review of current fees had been undertaken in light of increased operating costs, with proposed changes detailed in the report.

Driver licence fees (three?year licences) would take effect from 1 April 2026. Vehicle licence and Private Hire Operator fees required statutory consultation, including a 28?day public notice period, before implementation. The report outlined the reasons for the proposed adjustments, including increased time required for compliance checks, more accurate recording of officer time, and efficiency savings in some areas.

A Committee Member queried why the report had been brought to the Committee before the proposed fees had been subject to public consultation? They asked why the consultation could not be undertaken first, followed by a report to Committee, which might reduce the number of meetings required.

The Licensing and Trading Standards Manager explained that this approach reflected the process historically followed, although an alternative process could be adopted if permitted by the Council’s Constitution. The Legal Advisor and the Clerk agreed to look into this matter further.

A Member asked whether there had been an increase in the number of Operators? The Licensing Manager explained that when BCP Council was first formed, a review had been undertaken to assess the officer time required to process applications. This assessment had since been re-evaluated, and it was now evident that significantly more officer time was needed to administer Operator licences. The Licensing and Trading Standards Manager further advised that the checks associated with these applications had become more time?consuming, particularly due to an increase in virtual Operator offices, which required additional verification and compliance checks to be carried out.

A Committee Member asked how the proposed fee increases might impact individuals during the current cost?of?living crisis? The Licensing and Trading Standards Manager explained that a needs assessment had been undertaken as part of the review and reiterated that the service was required to operate on a cost?neutral basis.

RESOLVED that having considered the proposed fees, members agree the proposed fees as set out in the report.

Post Meeting Note

The Clerk confirmed that the Constitution does not specify the order in which the Committee must consider officer reports or consultation outcomes when determining Taxi Licensing fees. As this is not prescribed constitutionally, the sequence is an internal process, which the Committee may amend if it considers it appropriate.