Agenda and draft minutes

No declarations of interest were received.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Callan and Niblock.

The Licencing Officer presented a report on representations made during consultation on a proposal to increase taxi fees and charges from 1 April 2024 and the reduction in vehicle license fees from June 2024.

The Committee considered a report on increased fees and charges for several regulatory areas on 29 November 2023 and approved increases from 1 April 2024. A copy of that report and appendices was attached as Appendix 1 of the officer’s report.

To facilitate the increase for the taxi trade, the proposed fees and charges had to be advertised and consulted upon. The consultation period ended on 15 February 2024 and representations were received and detailed in Appendix B of the officer’s report.

A change to vehicle licensing procedures was due to be implemented in June 2024 with a change to the design of the vehicle license plates. The proposed reduction in the fee’s was attached at Appendix 3 of the officer’s report.

Committee discussed that in the future they would like to see price comparisons from other districts to be included in the report to assist in the decision making and allow the public to see the average increase being made by other Councils, as well as CBC.

The Committee had due regard to the objections made which were in the main about the pressures price increases may have on the trade. The Committee noted that the CBC were seeking to increase the fees because of increases in costs to the Council.

*RESOLVED –

1.    That approval is given to the increases agreed on 29 November 2023 for taxi fees and charges from 1 April 2024.

2.    That the reduction to vehicle license fees, implemented from June 2024, be approved.

The Licensing Officer presented a report to committee to consider amendments to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy and that the amendments would provide greater clarity in terms of taxi regulation and would not adversely affect public safety.

The amendments would be made to paragraphs 1.8, 2.10, 2.21 and 5.17 to reflect the change to the vehicle licensing process. CBC were under contract with NEDDC’ testing station until June 2024 and would not be renewing. The drivers could approach a garage of their choice and get their vehicle MOT tested to the standards of CBC policy and then the licence plates would be issued by CBC.

Committee asked the Licensing Manager to bring a report back 6 months after the implantation of the new policy to see if any further amendments needed to be made.

*RESOLVED –

That the amendments be approved.