Agenda and draft minutes

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2024 as a correct record.

The Committee confirmed the minutes of the meeting held 4 December 2024 as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from Councillors in accordance with the

Council's Code of Conduct for Members.

There were none.

Committee is asked to:

1.    Approve the proposed table of fares set out at Appendix A for consultation purposes and statutory advertising requirements; and

2.    Approve the methodology to calculate the table of fares.

The Committee considered the Hackney Carriage Table of Fare Review for 2025 for consultation purposes. The Table of Fares set out the maximum fare drivers could charge for their service. The proposed Table of Fares had been calculated using a methodology adopted by Guildford Borough Council that had been legally challenged and upheld as lawful. The fares should allow the driver to recover a salary for themselves as well as vehicle running costs, but not be inaccessible to members of the public. The Principal Licensing Officer acknowledged the fares had not been reviewed for ten years, and there had been no adjustment for inflation. Matt Lewin, Cornerstones Barristers, advised the Committee there was flexibility in the methodology that could reduce the proposed fares depending on the results of the consultation.

The Committee acknowledged the need for the fares to be raised, but cautioned against a substantial rise that would prevent members of the public from using the service. However, if fares weren’t appropriately raised, there was also a risk of drivers leaving the trade and the Council being at risk of not being able to provide a service for those who depend on hackney carriages in the borough.

The Committee noted the methodology adopted by Guildford was reasonable, though the calculations used in the proposed table of fares for Spelthorne were based on assumptions and averages as the Council held no data to calculate the fares. Consultation responses, if received, would provide the Committee with further data to be able to suggest adjustments to the fares calculated using the methodology if they were felt to be unreasonable.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Approve the proposed table of fares set out in Appendix A for consultation purposes and statutory advertising requirements; and

2.    Approve the methodology to calculate the table of fares.