Members were reminded that the setting of fare tariffs in respect of Hackney Carriage Vehicles was legislated under provision of section 65 the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (the Act). There was no provision for the Council to set tariffs in respect of private hire vehicles.

From time to time the fare tariffs might be amended in accordance with the legislation, usually following a request from the Taxi trade and appropriate advertising of the proposals in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

The current fares had been in place since August 2011, meaning that there has been no increase in taxi fares within the Borough of Brentwood for three years.

The report before Members considered an application received via the Taxi Trade Consultative Group (TTCG) for an increase in the maximum fares permitted to be charged by licensed Hackney Carriage Vehicles within the Borough of Brentwood.

A previous request for an increase in tariff was submitted at the TTCG held on 4 August 2014 and this had been considered and rejected by Licensing Committee on 13 October 2014.

Following the Licensing Committee held on 13 October 2014, the trade submitted a revised proposal, which was attached to the agenda as Appendix A.  This proposal was discussed and formally submitted at a TTCG meeting held on 3 November 2014 and three members of the Taxi Trade Consultative Group attended the Committee meeting to respond to Members’ questions. Background details of their proposal for increased fare tariffs had been submitted prior to the meeting for Members’ information and consideration.  The Chair agreed to a Member’s request that this additional information be made available on the Council’s website as a supplementary document to the agenda.

The proposal before Members was a maximum fare/tariff only and it was therefore up to the individual hackney carriage proprietor as to whether they wished  to charge the maximum. There was no legal obligation to charge the maximum, although it was unlawful to charge more.

Members requested that the fare tariffs be considered on an annual basis in future.

Cllr Lloyd MOVED and Cllr Barrett SECONDED recommendation 2.1(a). Following a discussion a vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED that the Committee agrees in principle the increase in the maximum fare/tariff as attached at Appendix A to the report which is to be advertised in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements; and that the increased tariff should come into force at the end of a period of 14 days from the first date of advertisement if no objections are received; or be reported back to Licensing Committee for further determination in December 2014 if one or more objections are received.