Hackney carriage taxi and private hire vehicle licence fees

Shropshire Council’s Strategic Licensing Committee is to discuss the recent consultation on Hackney carriage taxi and private hire licences and agree the fees for 2012/13. 

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, without burdening the trade with significant financial pressures in difficult economic circumstances. 

At a meeting on Wednesday 21 March 2012 the committee will look to set fees in 2012/13 after asking people for their views on proposed charges, which are within the maximum allowed to recover the costs of delivering the service. 

Traders, residents and visitors were asked to get involved in a consultation from the end of January 2012.  The consultation was publicised via a Shropshire Newsroom story, social media, Shropshire Council’s website, in the Shropshire Star and at council offices.  Three representations on the proposals were received. 

The committee will be asked to consider the proposals which were consulted on and the objections made. 

The committee will discuss the recommendation to increase the fees for the following in 2012/13 by 9.7 per cent (Retail Price Index plus four per cent): 

• Driver’s badge excluding CRB, DVLA and Driver Assessment checks (first year)
• Driver’s badge excluding CRB and DVLA checks (three year)
• Private hire vehicle
• Private hire door signs (per pair)
• Hackney carriage vehicle
• Private hire operator (one year)
• Private hire operator (three year)
• Plate replacement for damage or loss
• Driver badge replacement for damage or loss
• Transfer licence – for change of vehicle  

If agreed, this would increase fees by no more than £15.00 for each of these licences. 

It is also proposed that there is no increase for the transfer licence for change of proprietor and the driver’s knowledge test re-sit fee, which has not previously been charged for, is set at a level that recovers costs.  The cost of one knowledge test is included in the initial driver’s badge application.  However if an applicant fails this test they would be charged the re-sit fee.  This fee would 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 will therefore consider any objections raised by the trade to the proposed fees.” 

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

“At the committee meeting next week we will carefully consider the proposals before reaching a decision. 

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

If the committee agrees the fees, they will come into effect at midnight on Saturday 31 March 2012. 

At the same time the council is carrying out: 

• 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, in line with the council’s policy.  Where this is not happening, licences are being revoked
• Work to ensure licensing processes are as efficient and effective as possible, keeping costs to an absolute minimum, including the introduction of online applications.

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.