The Head of Shared Regulatory Services reported back on the trade consultation carried out in respect of the Bridgend County Borough hackney carriage table of fares. This followed proposals to the Licensing Department to amend the table of fares. Cabinet were being asked to consider the proposals and the consultation responses and to determine whether one of the proposals should go forward to the public notice process.   

The Head of Regulatory Services explained that at the September 2017 Cabinet meeting, three proposals to vary the current hackney carriage table of fares were presented. Cabinet decided to reject the three proposals and recommended the legality and practicalities of consulting on hackney carriage fees with the taxi trade and public be explored. The applicants were asked to present a further application with support from all parties. However, no consensus could be reached and so a letter and questionnaire was sent each licensed hackney/private hire vehicle driver in Bridgend seeking views and a preferred option. The Head of Regulatory Services reported that 653 letters were sent out and 67 responses were received. Proposal 1 was the preferred option as detailed in the report. He also provided a comparison with the proposed fare and the fares authorised by other licensing authorities.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services and Early Help said that in Bridgend there were both rural and urban areas and that these vehicles were used as part of everyday life. It would be helpful to be in a position where we could move forward and meet the pressures and raising costs.  

The Head of Regulatory Services clarified the differences between a hackney carriage and a private hire vehicle. He added that in the Vale and Cardiff, Uber appeared to be driving the competition. 

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations said that the response was disappointing but the opportunity had been provided for all to comment. The drivers appeared to believe there should be a slight increase and the majority supported proposal 1.The consultation would give the passengers an opportunity to make their comments.

The Head of Regulatory Services endorsed these comments and said that proposal 1 was lower than the other proposals. The drivers had seen significant increases in insurance premiums but there had been no increase in terms of fees since 2011    

RESOLVED:              Members recommended that proposal 1 go forward to the public notice process with an implementation date of 3 December 2018 (provided that there are no objections).