Issue - meetings

A request has been received by Mr David Lane on behalf of BCP taxi private hire association for amendments to 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 BCP Council conurbation.

The Licensing Officer presented a report on the review of Hackney Carriage maximum fares and charges tariff, 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 considered a request submitted by Mr David Lane, on behalf of the BCP Taxi and Private Hire Association, seeking amendments to the current Hackney Carriage tariff. Under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, the Council had the authority to set fare rates for Hackney Carriages operating within its area. Any approved changes would apply across all three existing Hackney Carriage zones within the BCP Council area.

The current tariff was last approved by the Licensing Committee on 7 March 2024. Mr Lane’s request, along with supporting correspondence, was provided to Members, and he had been invited by the Chair to present the rationale for the proposed changes at the meeting. If no objections were received the changes would come into operation on the 5 May 2025.

Mr Lane addressed the Committee to provide further detail on the proposed increases to the Hackney Carriage fares. He referred to the ongoing pressures arising from the cost?of?living crisis and explained that the request included amending the night?time tariff to bring it into alignment with neighbouring authorities, proposing that the night?time rate apply from 22:00 to 06:00.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Lane confirmed that all Hackney Carriage meters were calibrated by BCP Council and that the tariff changes at night were automatic and could not be manually overridden. He advised that, under the current arrangements, many Hackney Carriage drivers were choosing to take their breaks between 22:00 and 00:00 because the enhanced night?time rate did not commence until midnight. As a result, taxis licensed by neighbouring authorities were often picking up work within the BCP area between 22:00 and 00:00, which he considered to pose a potential risk to public safety, particularly for women. He stated that bringing the night?time rate forward to 22:00 would encourage more BCP?licensed drivers to remain available during these hours, thereby reducing reliance on out?of?area drivers.

It was also highlighted during the discussion that Hackney Carriages retained the option to offer reduced fares or discounts. The Licensing Manager clarified that Hackney Carriages licensed outside the BCP area were not permitted to operate from BCP taxi ranks; however, pre?booked Hackney Carriages could legally enter the area to collect passengers. No complaints had been received regarding out?of?area Hackney Carriages unlawfully operating from BCP ranks.

A Committee Member asked why officers do not provide recommendations within such reports? The Licensing and Trading Standards Manager explained that the licensing framework did not permit officers to express an opinion on matters of this nature. Decisions must be taken by the Licensing Committee, which operated in a quasi?judicial capacity and whose determinations may be subject to legal challenge. The Licensing and Trading  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35