Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relating to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Pat Gillick and Ivan Davies, taxi drivers operating in the Macclesfield zone, spoke in respect of the fare structure which, it was noted, had not increased in their area for approx 4 years.  During this time their operating costs, such as fuel, insurance and maintenance, had all increased with the result that the average profit margin was only 7% and if this continued or got any worse it would be very difficult for many operators to continue to provide the service, in the quality of vehicles required by the Licensing Authority. 

Mr Gillick and Mr Davies confirmed that they were in favour of the proposed different tariffs for the three pre-set times of day/night as this would mitigate against there not having been a general increase, and also assist in harmonising the structure between the three different operating zones within the Borough.

1.    That the Licensing Team Leader be authorised to take all necessary actions to implement the draft Hackney Carriage Table of Fares for each of the Council’s zones including writing and advertising the Statutory Public Notices.

2.    In the event that any objections are received, that a further Portfolio Holder meeting be arranged to consider those objections.

3.    In the event that no objections are received, that the Table of Fares for each zone advertised in accordance with the requirements of Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 automatically come into force on the date specified in the Public Notices.

Consideration was given to the proposed table of fares applicable in each of the Council’s Hackney Carriage zones.  This followed consultation with the licensed trade and recommendation from the Licensing Committee.

Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 gave the local authority the discretion to set the maximum fares payable in connection with the hire of a Hackney Carriage vehicle; it also provided that any variation in the fares be advertised and the opportunity given for objections to be made.

It was reported that the Licensing Committee had requested that informal consultation be undertaken to ascertain the views of the trade, and to seek to find common ground, regarding the harmonisation of the Tables of Fares across the Borough.  The Licensing Team had conducted consultation with the licensed trade in the Macclesfield and Congleton zones and agreement had been reached regarding the necessary changes; the licensed trade in the Crewe and Nantwich zone did not, however, engage in the process.

In the light of this the Licensing Committee had resolved that a further consultation period of six weeks be undertaken.  The outcome was that a straight increase in the fares in the Macclesfield and Congleton zones was now proposed whereas in Crewe and Nantwich, because the fare and any increases were calculated differently, it was proposed that there be a reduction in the tariff 1 fare for the first and second miles.

The decision now made took into account the representations made at the meeting, the recommendations of the Licensing Committee and the outcome of the consultations. 

RESOLVED

1.    That the Licensing Team Leader be authorised to take all necessary actions to implement the draft Hackney Carriage Table of Fares for each of the Council’s zones including writing and advertising the Statutory Public Notices.

2.    In the event of any objections being received, that a further Portfolio Holder meeting be arranged to consider those objections.

3.    In the event that no objections are received, that the Table of Fares for each zone advertised in accordance with the requirements of Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 automatically come into force on the date specified in the Public Notices.