Agenda and minutes

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 05 December 2023 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 05 December 2023 were agreed 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 no disclosures of interest.

To consider and agree the fees and charges for the licensing of Hackney Carriages, Private Hire, and Private Hire Operators 2024-2025.

The Senior Environmental Health Manager presented the report on the setting of Fees & Charges for the licensing of Hackney Carriages, Private Hire and Private Hire Operators for 2024 – 2025. The Senior Environmental Health Manager outlined the key issues raised by the consultation and the Licensing Department’s responses.

The Committee were informed that a review of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy, alongside a review of the Taxi tariffs, would be carried out in Summer 2024. The Senior Environmental Health Manager advised the Committee that following a period of staffing difficulties, the Licensing Department was now almost back to a full complement of staff.

The Committee discussed the signage at Staines Train Station and highlighted that as it was privately owned land the Council had no control or influence over it. The Committee suggested that Shepperton Train Station could benefit from having a taxi rank. The Committee further stated that they felt the restriction on 10-year-old vehicles needed to be reviewed. The Committee requested clarification over what would happen if the fees and charges were not increased and were informed that it was best practice for Taxi fees to be cost neutral to prevent them from being subsidised by the taxpayer and as such an increase, to cover costs of the service, was advised.

The Committee resolved to agree the proposed fees, noting the consultation responses and undertake to bring forward reviews of the policies expressly referred within a reasonable timeframe pursuant to meaningful consultation and to carry out a full review of fees in the 2024/25 municipal year.