Issue - meetings

The Head of Housing and Health submitted a report inviting Members to consider consultation responses to the revised Taxi Licensing fees and charges for the 2018/19 financial year.

The Service Manager (Licensing and Enforcement) reminded Members that East Herts Council had not varied taxi licensing fees since 2013.  He referred Members to Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ for the current 2017/18 fees and Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ for the proposed 2018/19 fees.

The Service Manager confirmed to Councillor J Jones why Officers were suggesting a reduction in the fee for a new 1 year private hire application.  Members were reminded that it would be unlawful to charge more than cost recovery to ensure that the Authority was not open to challenge in the form of judicial review.

The Service Manager advised that East Herts was about average in Hertfordshire in respect of the current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Fees.  Members received the report.

RESOLVED – that (A) the proposed fees for 2018/19 be considered in the light of the consultation responses; and

(B)   the schedule of taxi fees and charges for 2018/19, included in Essential Reference Paper B of the report submitted, be recommended to the Head of Strategic Finance and Property for approval.