Agenda and minutes

 Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Stephen Cox, Rue Grewal and Alison Wall.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Regulatory Services Committee Meeting held on 8 March 2022.

The Minutes of the Regulatory Services Committee Meeting held on 8 March 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Items of other business notified under Council Procedure Rule 30 to be announced, together with the special circumstances that justify their consideration as a matter of urgency.  The Chair to rule on the admission of such items.

None received.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None received.

To advise Members that the Licensing department is in receipt of a request from South Oxhey Radio Taxis (SORT) to seek an increase to the current Hackney Carriage Table of Fares, dated 2013, shown at Appendix 1. The request from SORT is dated 4 March 2022 but was received by the department on 9 March 2022.

The current Hackney Carriage Table of Fares is attached at Appendix 2 and is also publically available on the Council’s website.

The table of fares was last reviewed in June 2013 following a request from SORT. The 2013 proposal was to increase the start fare from £2.70 to £2.90 for the first 1015 metres, an increase of 7.4% and for the period for which a night charge is added to the fare to be extended from 05:00 to 06:00 hours. The reasoning for this request was due to the high percentage increase in the cost of fuel at the time. It was agreed by Members in 2013 to grant an increase of 10p (to £2.80) for the first 1015 metres or part thereof and to implement a night-time charge from 23:00 to 06:00, as per the initial request.

On receipt of the application in March 2022, letters were sent to all those licenced as Hackney Carriage drivers within Three Rivers (x 20) as well as advising all licenced operators, providing them with an opportunity to make comments by 27 May 2022. No comments have been received.

Officers have followed the previous methodology used in 2013 to provide data showing the price increases via various means.

Officers’ note that the cost of living has increased both for taxi drivers and taxi consumers and consideration is required to make sure the fares are sufficient for the drivers to make a living, but not too high to deter customers, recognising the important role the taxi trade plays in society, especially for transporting vulnerable passengers.

Officers agree to the increases, with the possible exception of the change in night time charging hours, explained in more detail below.

 The, Development Management Team Leader provided a summary of the report, as follows.

Following a request from South Oxhey Radio Taxis to increase the current Hackney Carriage Table of Fares, Officers have reviewed the fare table and agree, in light of the fact that the fare table has not altered since 2013 and given the current economic climate, especially in respect of motoring costs, that an increase as proposed is acceptable, with the exception to the change in the extent of the night time charging hours, but this can be subject to further discussion.

Officers have used the same methodology from 2013 for consistency. This has included using The National Hackney Fares Table which shows Three Rivers is currently below the national average for a 2 mile daytime journey. The proposed increase would put Three Rivers above the national average, an 8.3 % rise on the current price. In addition, data from the Office of National Statistics has been used and as set out within the report shows the rising costs of motoring expenditure such as maintenance of motor vehicles, petrol and oil and vehicle tax and insurance. Furthermore, it is also recognised that the cost of applying for licences has increased.

The Officer recommendation is to: - Agree the fare increase with the exception of the night time charge, which instead should start from 10pm rather than the suggested 8pm

- Agree for officers to publish the agreed version in the Watford Observer

- Subject to no objections that the varied fares takes effect following the expiry of the press notice

- For the Director of Environmental Services rather than Head of Regulatory Services to consider any objections in consultation with the Lead Member.

- If objections are received and maintained that a further Extraordinary Regulatory Services Committee is arranged by 29 August to consider the representations received.

- To agree that the fare tariff be reviewed on a routine basis every two years.

Points for members of the Committee to discuss were:

- Whether or not to accept the proposed fare increases

- to consider the extent of the consultation period in the Watford Observer (legislation requires a minimum of 14 days for the notice to be included in the Watford Observer) a report makes a case for 21 days but it may be determined that 14 days is sufficient, especially in view of the cost of placing an advertisement in the paper

- to agree whether further applications during a specified timeframe should be restricted

- whether the fares table should be reviewed every two years as a matter of routine

A Member of the Committee asked what had happened to the 2019 request for a review. The Lead Licensing Officer advised that an application from South Oxhey Radio Taxis had been received, but Officers asked for further evidence in order to trigger a review. No further correspondence was received and therefore there was no further action on this matter.

A Member expressed surprise that the requested  ...  view the full minutes text for item RG5/22

To consider and make necessary changes to the Committee’s work programme.

The Committee considered the four items on the Regulatory Services work programme.

The contents of the work programme were agreed by General Assent.

RESOLVED:

That the items in the work programme be noted.