Agenda item

Hackney Carriage Tariff Increase

The Service Director Legal Services will submit a report on a request received from the Barnsley Hackney Carriage Association for an increase in the current Hackney Carriage Tariff.

Minutes:

The Service Director Legal Services submitted a report relating to a request received from the Barnsley Hackney Carriage Association.  Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 gives the Council the authority to fix fares for Hackney Carriages.  The request received proposed to increase the current Hackney Carriage Tariff due to rising fuel prices and insurance costs.

 

Members noted that the proposal sought an increase of 40p for the first 1760 yards or part thereof.  It also sought to change the times when tariff 2 would become effective from 11pm to 8pm in order to encourage more drivers at unsociable hours, and bring the super rate from 1am from 3am, giving an incentive for working unsociable hours, which in turn would help reduce queuing.

 

The request received, if approved by the Board, would be advertised in the local press.  If there were no objections received, this would be duly implemented. However, if any objections were received then this would be reconsidered by the Board.

 

Those present discussed the request which had been provided verbatim in the report circulated.  A number of points were raised as to how the proposal had been arrived at, with it being noted that there was little detail provided.

 

It was noted that any application for a change to fairs must include details of the proposed fair and also provide any supporting evidence.

 

Members discussed in some depth whether the proposal was sufficiently evidenced.  A recommendation was received to reject the proposal at the current stage due to lack of supporting evidence and invite Barnsley Hackney Carriage Association to provide the necessary evidence for this to be reconsidered.

 

RESOLVED that the proposal as submitted be refused and that Barnsley Hackney Carriage Association be asked to supply necessary evidence in order for this to be reconsidered by the committee.

Supporting documents:

 

A - Z Directory