To consider a report regarding a request from the Torbay Licensed Taxi Association to increase the applicable fare tariff in respect of all Hackney Carriages in Torbay.

Members considered a report concerning a request from the Torbay Licensed Taxi Association to increase the applicable fare tariff in respect of all Hackney Carriages in Torbay.

The Environmental Health Manager (Commercial) advised Members that under the terms of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, a Local Licensing Authority may determine the maximum level of charges to be levied by all Hackney Carriages operating under its control.  He informed Members that the last increase in fares was agreed in May 2008 and the Torbay Licensed Taxi Association was requesting an increase of 6%.

Members noted that the proposed changes would be advertised and should any objections be received the responses must be considered by a Licensing Sub-Committee.

Resolved:

i)                    that the appropriate Public Notices are placed to advertise the requested increase in the Hackney Carriage Fare Scale, as set out in the letter from the Torbay Licensed Taxi Association as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

ii)                  that any responses to the Public Notice be considered by the Licensing Sub-Committee; and

iii)                in the event that no objections are received then the new tariff would take effect from 1 July 2011.