The Head of Shared Regulatory Services reported on objections to the proposal approved by Cabinet to vary the current rate of Hackney Carriage Fares.  He stated that Cabinet at its meeting on 5 September 2017 considered 3 proposals to vary the current hackney table of fares and determined to reject those proposalsand recommended the legality and practicalities of consulting on hackney carriage fees with the taxi trade and public be explored.

The Head of Regulatory Services reported that officers asked each of the applicants to consider the other proposals with a view to presenting a further single application with support from all parties.  However, no consensus could be reached between the applicants and during this period an additional application was received from Mr Peter Renwick of Premier Cars (Cardiff) Ltd.  Consultation took place with each of thelicensed hackney carriage/private hire vehicle drivers in Bridgend, seeking their views and whether they had a preferred option on the 3 proposals previously considered by Cabinet, and the subsequent proposal received.  The results of the consultation were presented to Cabinet on 23 October 2018.  Cabinet approved Proposal 1, submitted by Mr James Borland and Richard Parrott, subject to the issuing of a public notice in a local newspaper inviting objections.

The Head of Regulatory Services informed Cabinet that the report submitted to it on 23 October 2018 contained incorrect figures for the cost of 5 mile and 15 mile journeys for Proposal 1, but the information provided to the licensed trade during the consultation was correct and as such the results of the consultation are based on the correct figures.   

The Head of Regulatory Services informed Cabinet that 3 objections were received to the public notice and he outlined those responses.  He stated that Cabinet was required to consider the objections and determine whether it remains content with the decision to ratify Proposal 1 as the preferred option based on the correct figures, or having reviewed the information regarding the updated figures, to now select a different proposal. 

The Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations proposed that Cabinet support Proposal 1 as it had received the most support from the trade.  She stated that she was satisfied with the consultation which had taken place and that the trade had received the correct figures and believed that the cost of re-calibration could be recovered.  The Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations also commented that this was a cap on the maximum fare that could be charged, and drivers did not have to increase their fares if they were so minded.  The Deputy Leader commented that he was satisfied with the consultation undertaken and the re-calibration of equipment was not insurmountable.         

RESOLVED:           That Cabinet:

a)  Noted the representations received in Appendix B of the report in consideration of the decision taken by Cabinet on the 23 October 2018 to amend the tariff of fares;

Determined to continue with Proposal 1 and introduce a new hackney carriage tariff based on the amended figures set out in the report with an implementation date no later than 2 February 2019.