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The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health introduced report ES/1215 which was a proposal received from a group of licensed Hackney Carriage drivers in the North of the East Suffolk District for an increase to the Hackney Carriage fares tariff for the North of the district. The Licensing Manager and Housing Lead Lawyer explained that the last increase was in September 2012 and summarised the proposal and its effects.
Members questioned:
The Licensing Manager and Housing Lead Lawyer explained that resolution of the Committee would be subject to consultation, the outcome of which would then be presented to a future meeting of the Committee.
Councillor Rudd reminded Members that the proposal had been put to the Committee by the drivers in the North of the district, who had not asked for alignment with the South. Councillor Rudd drew Members attention to the Licensing Committee meeting of 19 April 2021 where it was agreed to continue with the existing arrangement of having two tariff tables in the East Suffolk district; one in the North of the district (the former Waveney District Council area) and one in the South of the district (the former Suffolk Coastal District Council area).
Councillor Robinson observed that due to the significant passing of time since the last review, it may now be appropriate for the trade to be urged to come forward with proposals no more than three years since their last proposal. Councillor Rudd cautioned that the Committee had agreed at its meeting of 19 April 2021 to continue with the existing custom and practice of the trade proposing a new tariff table for the Licensing Authority to approve and formally consult on as and when they considered that an increase was appropriate or necessary.
Councillor Robinson proposed, and Councillor Back seconded an amendment that “Subject to the removal of the luggage charge, the increase to the hackney carriage fare tariff for the North of the district, be approved for consultation”. Upon the amendment being put to the vote, by a majority, the amendment was CARRIED and became the substantive motion.
Members in support of the substantive motion perceived that the luggage charge was outdated and no longer justifiable, as customers would expect to be able to have their bag carried without incurring a separate charge. It would also partially offset the overall increase, which would come at a time where cost of living increases were impacting household incomes. Councillor Coulam disagreed and was of the view that it was not feasible to remove the charge completely and cautioned that drivers had asked for an increase.
The Chairman invited any further amendments. Councillor Coulam proposed, and Councillor Craig seconded an amendment that the increase to the hackney carriage fare tariff for the North of the district, subject to the soiling charge being increased from £40 to £80, be approved for consultation. Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was NOT CARRIED.
Councillor Wiles moved, and Councillor Ashdown seconded the substantive motion that subject to the removal of the luggage charge, the increase to the hackney carriage fare tariff for the North of the district, be approved for consultation. Upon being put to the vote, it was by a majority
RESOLVED
That subject to the removal of the luggage charge, the increase to the hackney carriage fare tariff for the North of the district, be approved for consultation.