There was a change of membership for this meeting: Councillor Aron replaced Councillor Hastrick. 

There were no disclosures of interest however Councillor Dhindsa advised that he had declared an interest in the past but as a former councillor who had similar interests took part in Licensing Committee discussions, he would not declare an interest and would take part.

To approve for signature the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2012 were submitted and signed.

Report of the Head of Environmental Services

The Committee received a report of the Head of Environmental Services asking Members to consider a fare increase for Hackney Carriages.

The Licensing Manager introduced the report and explained that the request to raise the fares had come from the Watford Hackney Carriage Drivers’ Association (WHCDA). He outlined the consultation process that would be followed after the Committee had considered the matter. He reminded the Committee that the tariffs were the maximum that drivers could charge and only applied to journeys which started and ended in the borough. The WHCDA proposal was to increase the starting fare from £2.20 to £2.80; a rise of 60 pence until 4.61 miles had been reached when the existing fare levels would apply.

Following a question from Councillor Brandon, the Licensing Manager confirmed that the proposal in the report was the increase the trade would like to see.

Councillor Dhindsa noted that this increase only applied to short journeys; a journey of ten miles would only incur a rise of 60 pence. The fares had not risen since 2010; he felt the fares should be reviewed annually. The Licensing Manager explained that authorities took different approaches but Watford Borough Council had only considered fare increases when the trade had asked.

Councillor Dhindsa advised that he talked to drivers and was aware that they waited a long time for a passenger. He said many drivers earned the minimum wage and their costs had increased. He asked how much the Council’s fees had risen over the last six years. He said that drivers were subject to abuse and attacks. There was less work available in Watford and they were almost going out of business. He felt that the trade had made a reasonable request.

In response to Councillor Dhindsa’s questions, the Licensing Manager advised that the licence fees had not increased this year and there may have been a slight increase the year before where amounts were rounded up. The driver’s licence lasted three years. 

Councillor Meerabux noted the rise in petrol and other costs and that drivers waited a long time for a passenger.

Councillor I Brown expressed his concern for taxi drivers. In his experience, when prices increased the volume of sales decreased and he felt taxi fares were already too high. A rise of this scale could be counter-productive.

Councillor Crout noted Councillor Dhindsa’s comments that drivers struggled to make ends meet and asked how many plates had been surrendered. He concurred with Councillor Brown’s points and observed that private hire vehicles were often less expensive than hackney carriages. The Licensing Manager advised that plates were less likely to be surrendered now that a limit had been imposed. Only a handful had been surrendered in the previous 12 months.

Councillor Derbyshire drew Members’ attention to the role of the users and added that the Committee had a responsibility to them as well. The trade were asking for an increase of 36 percent on the starting fare and he asked whether this was justified.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.