Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Jaspal, Councillor Dalton, Councillor Wildman, Councillor Crofts, and Greg Bickerdike, Licensing Manager.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 March 2023 as a correct record].

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory Committee held on 8 March 2023 be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

[To discuss any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting].

There were no matters arising.

[To approve the proposed fees and charges for 2023-2024]

Chris Howell, Commercial Regulation Manager, presented the report: Review of Fees and Charges for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing functions for 2023-2024. The report outlined the proposed fees and charges relating to Hackney Carriages, Private Hire vehicles, drivers and operators’ licences, and related licensing functions, from 1 April 2023.

The Commercial Regulation Manager provided an overview of the proposed changes and explained the rationale for these changes. It was noted that due to a large increase in demand for private hire driver licences, fees would be significantly reduced in order to reduce the surplus of the licensing reserve.

Members of the Committee welcomed the reduction in fees and thanked officers for their efforts in achieving this.

Councillor Muston moved the recommendations within the report and Councillor Potter seconded the recommendations.

Resolved:

That Members of the Regulatory Committee:

1. Approved the proposed fees and charges with effect from 1 April 2023.
2. Approved the abolition of one-year licences for private hire vehicles aged over ten years, to deliver administrative savings.
3. Noted that the reduction in fees was expected to reduce the surplus of the licensing reserve.
4. Noted that six-month licences for Hackney Carriages would be withdrawn.

The Chair closed the final meeting of the Municipal Year by thanking Members and officers for their support throughout the previous twelve months. The Committee reciprocated it’s thanks to the Chair.