Issue - meetings

Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 - Request for Increase in Hackney Carriage Fare Tariff

Meeting: 04/06/2019 - Scrutiny (Policy and Performance) Committee (Item 13)

13 LOCAL GOVERNMENT (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT 1976 - REQUEST FOR INCREASE IN HACKNEY CARRIAGE FARE TARIFF pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To consider the attached report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Regulatory Services presented the report on the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 – Request for Increase in Hackney Carriage Fare Tariff.

 

Members were advised that the fixing of fares in respect of hackney carriages was a statutory function of the Council under the provisions of Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. The Council had received a request from some members of the Dover Federation of Taxi Operators to increase the maximum tariff chargeable, although this was not universally supported amongst Federation members. It was therefore proposed by officers that the Council undertake a preliminary non-statutory consultation in advance of the undertaking the formal statutory consultation procedures. This would provide an opportunity for those hackney proprietors who objected to the proposed increase to submit their views. The proposals did not affect private hire vehicle operators.

 

Members expressed concern that the format of the consultation document appeared to imply that the Council was endorsing the proposals without that being the case. In addition, there were concerns that the comparisons provided with other districts tariffs were not comprehensive as they did not include all areas of East Kent and the proposals for consultation did not accurately represent the impact of the proposed increase on longer journeys.

 

The Head of Regulatory services advised that she understood the concerns of Members and would ensure that it would be made clear in the consultation that the proposed tariffs came from the Federation and were not being endorsed by the Council. She also reassured Members that the preliminary non-statutory consultation was only the first stage in the process and if the Council was to proceed further with the proposals there would need to be statutory consultation undertaken.

 

RESOLVED:       That the Head of Regulatory Services be requested to include within the consultation prior its publication, examples relating to fares for (a) day; (b) night; and (c) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 mile journeys. There should also be included a comparison with fares in the other East Kent Authorities.


Meeting: 03/06/2019 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 - Request for Increase in Hackney Carriage Fare Tariff pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To consider the attached report of the Head of Regulatory Services.

 

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Transport and Licensing

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was agreed that a period of consultation with the trade and public on the maximum fare increases proposed by the Dover Federation of Taxi Operators be approved, and any representations be considered at a future meeting.