Councillors T Norbury, J Bird and T Cottier declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of them being Members of Unite the Union (minute 13 refers).

The Director of Governance and Assurance reported upon a proposal to increase the Hackney Carriage Tariffs.

The Licensing Manager reported that further to consideration of a proposal submitted by a Unite the Union representative to increase the Hackney Carriage Tariffs on 18 September 2019, the Committee had requested further clarity in respect of the proposal they were being asked to consider.

Members were advised that on 24 September 2007 Members of the Licensing, Health and Safety and General Purposes Committee had approved annual tariff reviews based upon the Public Carriage Office (PCO) (now Transport for London (TfL)) recommendation.  The Committee had subsequently requested officers advise further on the matter raised and the details of this were provided within the report.

The Licensing Manager reported that the last increase of Hackney Carriage Fares in Wirral had been in November 2018 and the effect of this was to increase the initial hiring charge on tariff 1, reduce the initial hiring distance on tariffs 2, 3 and 4 and to reduce the running mile yardage on all tariffs. This had resulted in increases between 7.1% and 37.5% on distances between 1 mile and 10 miles.

Members were informed that the current proposal submitted by Unite the Union was outlined in Appendix 1 to the report and tables showing the current Hackney Carriage Tariffs and a comparison of current tariffs in Wirral with neighbouring local authorities were outlined within Appendices 2 and 3 to the report.  Also attached for Members’ consideration was a petition signed by 51 Hackney Carriage Drivers requesting no increase in the Hackney Carriage Tariffs.

Members were advised that should the amendment to the current tariffs be approved, the proposal must be advertised for a period of fourteen days.  If no objections to the proposal were received, the revised tariffs would be reported to Cabinet for approval.  If objections were received they would be reported back to this Committee for consideration.

Mr D Cummins, Unite the Union addressed the Committee and requested that Members agree to the proposal set out by Unite the Union in Appendix 1 to the report.  He confirmed that not all of the trade would be in agreement but believed that a small increase should be implemented every year.

Councillor G Davies left the meeting.

Officers responded to queries by Members in respect of future reviews and it was clarified that different proposals had been put forward therefore any future review of the Hackney Carriage Tariffs would be considered on its own merits.

On a motion by Councillor T Norbury and seconded by Councillor L Rowlands it was –

Resolved – That:

(1)  The proposed increase set out in Appendix 1 of the report be recommended to Cabinet subject to any objections being received as part of the consultation process.  Should there be any objections to the proposed increase the matter would be reported back to this Committee.

On a motion by Councillor M Collins and seconded by Councillor D Mitchell it was –

Resolved – That:

(2)  Any future review of the Hackney Carriage Tariffs be undertaken on its merits taking into consideration any representations made in respect of the review.