Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Bevan, P.J. Bevan, D. Cushing,

Ms J. Gale and W. Williams

There were no declarations of interest received at the commencement or during the course of the meeting.

Consideration was given to the report which outlined the review of fees for 2019/20 in terms of licensing, registration and permits.

            It was noted that all locally set fees are reviewed annually in order to recover reasonable costs of providing the service.  In terms of Taxi Driver, Vehicle and Operator Licenses, full cost recovery would require increases of £6.00 in respect of Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver licences (3 year licence), £34.00 in respect of Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Vehicle Licences (1 year licence) and £22.00 in respect of Private Hire Vehicle Operator Licence (5 year licence).

Members were referred to Appendix 1 of the report which set out the existing general fees and those proposed for 2019/20 and were advised that the fees levels contained therein proposed a £6.00 increase for driver fees, £10.00 for vehicle fees and £22 for an operator licence.  The proposed fee for a vehicle licence falls short of full cost recovery but Officers advised that this would be a realistic increase in the current climate.

Officers confirmed that the vehicle and operator fees are subject to a statutory consultation and any objections received would need to be considered at a further meeting of this committee.

Changes in relation to Street Trading, Tattooing and Piercing and Animal Licences and Registrations were outlined for Members information.

Members noted the recommended level of fees and concerns were expressed in relation to the financial hardship that the proposed increases would have on taxi drivers.

Members were asked to implement the fees not subject to statutory consultation with immediate effect.

Having fully considered the Officer’s report, it was moved and seconded that the recommendations contained therein be approved.  By a show of hands and in noting there was 1 against this was agreed by the majority present.

RESOLVED that: -

(i)         the fees proposed as outlined in Appendix 1 of the Officer’s report, subject to the statutory consultation process, be approved.

(ii)        the advertising of the proposed fees for hackney carriage/private hire vehicle licences and operators for 2019/20 for 28 days as part of the consultation process be approved.