Agenda item

The Committee considered a report which provided information on requests that had been received to increase the current maximum table of fares as a result of the increasing overheads incurred by the Taxi trade. 

The report included the following options to restructure to the current hackney carriage maximum table of fares:-

·      Option 1 Proposed by HAC (Hackney Association Carmarthenshire);

• Option 2 Proposed by Members of the trade Tariff;

·      Option 3 Proposed by Members of the trade.

The Senior Licensing Officer orated the following statistics and indicators relevant to the taxi trade:-

·      Fuel costs;

o   March 2011 UK average petrol and diesel prices

o   December 2021 UK average petrol and diesel prices

o   July 2022 UK Average Petrol and Diesel Prices

o   October 2022 UK Average Petrol and Diesel Prices

o   Current costs of unleaded and Diesel from local fuel stations –Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli

·      National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage Rates

o   Current rates

o   Rates before April 2016

·      UK National League Table (including Wales) – Based on 2 Mile Journey on Tariff 1.

In consideration of the information provided, it was reported that since the last tariff increase in 2022, the financial climate had further declined with the cost of living increasing rapidly.

The Senior Licensing Officer explained that in October 2021 the taxi trade in Carmarthenshire were consulted on a request received to increase the hackney carriage maximum table of fares. In response to the consultation, 513 Drivers and 80 replies was received with 79 in favour of increase.

The Licensing Committee, at its meeting held on 15^th December, 2021 considered the proposal to increase the hackney carriage maximum table of fares request.  In considering this request, the Committee took into account various factors such as fuel costs, running costs, minimum wage, cost of living, comparisons in tariffs with neighbouring authorities and other authorities in Wales and the UK, and the time since the tariff was last increased.  The Committee resolved to advertise the new proposal in the local press at a cost of just under £3,000 to the Authority and subject to no objections being received the tariff would take effect.  On the 17^th January, 2022 the new tariff took effect in Carmarthenshire as no objections were received from the public.

In response to the sharp rise in fuel costs, the Licensing Section during July 2022 sought views and proposals from 500 taxi drivers in Carmarthenshire.  The licensing section received 6 responses with suggestions in relation to the tariffs.

It was explained that the proposed options for Committee consideration today were forwarded in September 2022 as part of a consultation to the 500 taxi drivers in Carmarthenshire.  Out of the 18 replies in total received from the trade;

·      13 were in favour of Option 1

·      1 was in favour of Option 2

·      2 were in Favour of Option 3

·      2 did not want an increase.

A representative from the Hackney Association Carmarthenshire was present in the meeting and was duly afforded the opportunity to address the Committee in support of his proposal outlined in Option 1 of the report.

Members, in regard of the information received from the Senior Licensing Officer and a proposer, considered the current hackney carriage maximum table of fares and the restructure proposals as stated in the report.

It was commented that currently the proposed options did not support independent hackney carriages in respect of long taxi journeys.

In line with the general increase in costs, it was proposed to restructure the Current Hackney Carriage Maximum table of fares be increased by adopting the fares within Option 1, subject to amending tariff 1 to reflect Friday and Saturday 6.00am until 8:00pm.  This was duly seconded.

Arising from concerns raised in regard to the impact of a further increase to taxi tariffs, on both the customer and the taxi trade, it was proposed to remain with the current hackney carriage maximum table of fares with no changes and not to go to consultation.  This was duly seconded.

RESOLVED that:

6.1   the Current Hackney Carriage Maximum table of fares be restructured as per Option 1 within the report, amending tariff 1 to reflect Friday and Saturday 6.00am until 8:00pm;

6.2   the proposed amendments to the current fare table, as set out in the report, be published in the local newspapers, giving 14 days for any persons to submit   objections, in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.  Where there are no objections, the tariffs shall be implemented.