Hackney carriage taxi and private hire vehicle licence consultation

Shropshire traders, residents and visitors are being asked to get involved in a consultation on Hackney carriage taxi and private hire licences.

Shropshire Council faces a challenge in balancing the need to cover the costs of issuing and monitoring the licences, and ensuring the public are protected, with not burdening the trade with significant financial pressures in difficult economic circumstances.

The council is now looking at the level to set for fees in 2012/13 and is asking people for their views on proposed charges, which are within the maximum allowed to recover the costs of delivering the service.

Shropshire Council’s Strategic Licensing Committee was today asked (Tuesday 17 January 2012) to choose an option for proposed fees on which to consult.  Councillors agreed to consult on increasing the fees for the following licences by 9.7 per cent (Retail Price Index plus four per cent) to stagger the recovery of costs:

• Driver’s badge excluding CRB, DVLA checks and driver assessment (first year)
• Driver’s badge excluding CRB and DVLA checks (three year)
• Private hire vehicle (per annum)
• Hackney carriage vehicle (per annum)
• Private hire operator (per annum)
• Private hire operator (three year)

If agreed following consultation, this would increase fees by no more than £15 for each of these licences.

They approved consultation on the following being charged at a level that recovers costs, increasing fees by no more than £3 for each:

• CRB fee
• DVLA fee
• Driver assessment
• Plate replacement for damage or loss
• Transfer licence

Councillors also agreed to consult on the driver’s knowledge test re-sit fee, which has not previously been charged for, being set at a level that recovers costs. The cost of one knowledge test is included in the initial driver’s badge application, and this fee will not apply to current licence holders or those that pass the test first time.

The council sets maximum fares that Hackney carriages can charge, and customers pre-booking a private hire vehicle can check fares at the time of booking.  These safeguards will prevent increases being passed onto customers.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for licensing, said:

“It is important for public safety that we thoroughly process and issue licences, which includes assessing the suitability of the applicant, police checks and driving and knowledge tests, as well as monitoring Hackney carriage taxis and private hire vehicles.

“We are looking at services across the board to ensure we are delivering them in the most efficient way possible.  At the same time we want to support businesses, and need to think about the impact increases in fees could have on the trade.

“During the consultation period we want to hear from as many people as possible about whether they think the service is offering value for money.”

Councillor Rosanna Taylor-Smith, chair of the licensing committee, added:

“Today we have not made a final decision on fees, but have carefully considered proposals on which to consult.

“This is about balancing the impact that any new levels will have on the livelihood of those affected by that increase; the council covering the cost of providing the service and the need to protect the public by providing, where possible, an effective transport system within the Shropshire Council area which meets public demand.”

People can share their views by emailing licensing@shropshire.gov.uk , writing to Licensing, Public Protection and Enforcement, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY2 6ND or calling 0345 678 9026.

The responses to the consultation will be discussed by the committee on 21 March 2012.

The consultation is taking place alongside:

• ongoing enforcement work to ensure that drivers are complying with licensing conditions
• checks to ensure that drivers from out of the area are operating in the county, including revoking licences
• work to ensure licensing processes are as efficient and effective as possible, keeping costs to an absolute minimum, including the introduction of online applications

It also follows work to review the driver’s knowledge test to require a more thorough knowledge of the area in which drivers operate to help ensure that passengers get a fair deal and reach their destination safely.

Private hire vehicles must be pre-booked and customers should be quoted the exact fare when the booking is made.  Hackney carriage taxis do not have to be pre-booked and can be hailed on the street.