Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations

1.    That the amendments to the Hackney Carriage tariffs and soiling charge detailed in this report and Appendix 1 be approved along with a 14-day consultation period.

2.    That following the period of consultation, if no objections are received or any objections received are subsequently withdrawn, then the amended tariffs and soiling charge are to take effect immediately.

3.    Should any objections be received following the period of consultation then a further report will be presented to Cabinet to determine whether the fares should be agreed and introduced, or amended prior to their introduction.

Consideration was given to the report which explained that a representation had been received on behalf of members of the Rotherham Hackney Carriage Association requesting a rise in the metered fares currently being charged by Hackney Carriages in Rotherham. In addition, the Association was requesting changes to the times that the different tariffs were applied, along with an increase in the soiling charge that must be paid by the passenger if the vehicle was fouled (for example, spilled food or drink).

The tariffs were set by the Council in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. This was an executive function and must therefore be exercised by Cabinet.

The current tariffs were set in 2022. Since this time, the costs associated with running a licensed vehicle had increased. Licence holders were therefore requesting this increase to cover running costs and allow them to see sufficient return for their business. The current and recommended tariffs were detailed in Appendix 1.

In relation to Tariff 1 (Standard), the current charge for the first mile was £4.50, with each additional mile costing the passenger £1.50. The proposals were for this to increase to £4.80 for the first mile (an increase of 6.7%), and £1.70 for each additional mile thereafter (an increase of approximately 13%).In addition, it was proposed that the charge for waiting was increased from 20p per minute (or part thereof) to 30p per minute (or part thereof). This represented an increase of 50%.

In relation to Tariff 2 (Night-time, Sunday and Bank Holidays), the current charge for the first mile was £4.70, with each additional mile costing the passenger £1.70. The proposals were for this to increase to £5.10 for the first mile (an increase of 8.5%), and £1.90 for each additional mile thereafter (an increase of 11.8%). It was also proposed that the times during which Tariff 2 was applicable should be changed as detailed in paragraphs 2.15 and 2.16 of the report.

In relation to Tariff 3 (Christmas and New Year,) the current charge for the first mile was £7.00, with each additional mile costing the passenger £1.90. The proposals were for this to increase to £7.30 for the first mile (an increase of 4.3%), and £2.20 for each additional mile thereafter (an increase of 15.8%).

Appendix 2 to the report outlined the Hackney Carriage Tariff Comparison Information.

Rotherham Hackney Carriage Association were representative of the Hackney Carriage Trade in Rotherham and had been fully involved in the development of the proposed tariffs. There was a statutory 14-day consultation period which had to take place prior to the introduction of the proposed tariffs. The Council was required to place a notice in the local press allowing no less than 14 days for comments regarding the proposed tariffs to be submitted to the Council. Should any objections be received then these would need to be considered in accordance with the procedure detailed above. If no objections were received (or objections were made but subsequently withdrawn) the revised tariffs would come into effect at a date to be determined by the Council in liaison with the trade.

Resolved:

1.    That the amendments to the Hackney Carriage tariffs and soiling charge detailed in this report and Appendix 1 be approved along with a 14-day consultation period.

2.    That following the period of consultation, if no objections are received or any objections received are subsequently withdrawn, then the amended tariffs and soiling charge are to take effect immediately.

3.    Should any objections be received following the period of consultation then a further report will be presented to Cabinet to determine whether the fares should be agreed and introduced or amended prior to their introduction.