Agenda item

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The Senior Licensing Officer presented the report to the Panel.

He brought to the Panel’s attention legislation requires fees to be agreed by Full Council in accordance with the Local Authority Functions and Responsibilities Regulations 2000. He added the new figures and charges had been established with consideration of fees of neighbouring authorities, case law, CIPFA regulations and assessing the time spend on each aspect of the specific licensing functions. The Senior Licensing Officer explained the current fees and charges were last revised and approved on the 26^th November 2015 and came into effect from 1^st December 2015. He advised failure to set fees to a level that ensures full cost recovery could result in a deficit of funds for services provided. The Senior Licensing Officer outlined to the Panel a consultation was held between 25^th September 2024 to 18^th December 2024 where Members of the licensed trade were invited to attend meetings with Officers and Councillor Moriarty, Portfolio Holder.

The Chair thanked the Senior Licensing Officer for the report and invited questions and comments from the panel.

Councillor Colwell commented the response from the consultation acknowledged and accepted the need for the fees and charges to be increased and renewed. He sought clarification in the difference of fee between Private Hire and Hackney Carriage.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed process of Private Hire and Hackney Carriage were different as Hackney Carriages are provided r more services as part of the licence therefore there were higher costs. He added the initial process was the same however the ongoing costs are different due to the additional services.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Devulapalli commented the Council should not have to subsidy the costs of licences. She asked how our fees compare to neighbouring areas. She sought further clarification on the difference in fees between licensing one vehicle opposed to multiple vehicles.

The Senior Licensing Officer responded to Councillor Devulapalli and advised our fees were average compared to neighbouring authorities. He explained to the Panel the fee for Private Hire Operator with multiple vehicles was higher as there are more checks and further administration and it was based on the number of records which had to be checked.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp on Zoom sought clarification on the affect and impact on disability vehicles and asked if there was a reduction or exemption on the fees.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed there was not a reduction or exemption but an additional cost of £32.00 to test a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle at the first licence but this was not chargeable at the renewal of the licence.

The Assistant Director for Operations and Commercial clarified further the fee of £32.00 was a single cost and was unlikely to cause an impact but it would encourage further Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles.

Councillor Moriarty, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Licensing commented further, there was additional checks which was therefore safer and more appropriate for clients.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Devulapalli asked if there was an option to pay the fees in instalments.

The Senior Licensing Officer confirmed this was not offered and had not been done previously. He explained this could increase fees further due to the further administration of chasing payments. He added conditions would need to be put in place for non-payments and the ability for Officer to revoke or suspend licences.

RESOLVED: The Environment and Community Panel supports the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below:

1.The Council approves the new fee structure for drivers of hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.

2.The Council approves the new fee structure for private hire operators.

3.The Council approves the new fee structure for vehicles and other sundry matters attached in the fee structure.