The Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment requested Members to review and approve the licence fees in respect of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences and Private Hire Operator Licences with effect from 1 October 2015.

It was reported that under the provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 the cost of a licence must be related to the cost of the licensing scheme itself and it was appropriate for a local authority to recover their administrative and other associated costs.

As a result of the change in the duration of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Driver Licences for a period of three years and Private Hire Operator Licences for a period of five years a review of the fee structure was required to reflect the fact that licences would be issued for more than one year.

The fees that related to annual licences were attached to the report together with the proposed fee structure.  The Licensing Manager advised that the cost of the administration of the processes had been calculated based on the revised duration of the Licences.  The review had taken into consideration that there would be reduced officer time dedicated to processing licences and reduced costs in producing badges and paper licences.  The proposed fees were considered appropriate to recover the costs of the issue and administration of the licences and these costs would be kept under review.

The Licensing Manager advised that no concerns in respect of the proposal had been raised by operators and that if any representations were received during the consultation period, these would be reported back to the next Committee meeting.

Members were advised that the fees would be reviewed in March 2016 and that they would be informed of any changes identified.

Members thanked the Licensing Department for their work in providing the detailed report.

It was moved by Councillor S Niblock and seconded by Councillor D Mitchell that –

“(1)  Members of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee review and approve the licence fees as set out in Appendix 2 of the report in respect of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences and Private Hire Operator Licences with effect from 1 October 2015, subject to any objections being received as part of the consultation process.

(2)  That the licence fees be further reviewed in March 2016 and that if any proposed changes are identified these will be reported to a future meeting of this Committee.”

Resolved –

(1)  Members of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee review and approve the licence fees as set out in Appendix 2 of the report in respect of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver Licences and Private Hire Operator Licences with effect from 1 October 2015, subject to any objections being received as part of the consultation process.

(2)  That the licence fees be further reviewed in March 2016 and that if any proposed changes are identified these will be reported to a future meeting of this Committee.