URL: https://democracy.northdevon.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4450

Decision Maker: Licensing and Community Safety Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Committee considered a report by the Lead Environmental Health Officer – Commercial Regulation (circulated previously) regarding the Hackney Carriage Fare Tariff Review.   The Lead Environmental Health Officer – Commercial Regulation provided the Committee with background information regarding the review:   ·       The Local Government Act 1976 set out the maximum fares chargeable. The hackney carriage drivers were able to charge less than the set figures. ·       The most recent review had taken place in July 2022. ·       Consultation had taken place, and the results were provided in appendix E. It was noted that there was disparity in responses.   The Committee discussed the issues created by both increasing the maximum fares, or leaving them as they were.   RESOLVED:   (a)  That the Lead Environmental Health Officer Commercial Regulation undertakes further informal consultation with the licensed taxi trade on the specific proposals within options 2 and 14 on appendix F:   o   Option 2: Trade £3.50 flag / no other increase.   o   Option 14: CPI (13.7%) flag only and rounded up to nearest 10 pence on tariff one and four only.   It should be borne in mind that rates may need minor adjustment for them to be compatible with a taximeter, and   (b)  that the above consultation included the following proposals:   o   retain the current valet charge at £100 in line with comments at paragraph 4.24 (suggested £100)   o   increase the fare for non-motorised vehicles from £2.00 to £2.40 a minute (resultant tariff if relevant CPI increase is applied and the tariff is rounded up to the nearest 10 pence) (suggested £2.40)   o   increase waiting time from £0.25 per minute, in line with comments at paragraph 4.28 (suggested £0.30)   o   continue including a fuel surcharge within the tariff. If so it, would be a necessity to amend its current wording to reflect south west average fuel oil prices being unavailable. Suggested to amend the wording to: o   a surcharge of 10p be added to the fare when published Government weekly road fuel price for ultra-low sulphur diesel exceeded £1.75 per litre with a further 10p added for each subsequent increase of 10p per litre.   o   include any additional extras charge to cover unexpected bank holidays. Whilst infrequent these were currently uncatered for. A suggestion would be to propose a £0.50 extra charge in the event of an extra public holiday being announced in the life of the tariff with the additional charge being added to the meter for each hiring on the new public holiday.    

Date of Decision: December 9, 2025