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The Committee received report ES/2668 which related to the setting of fees for vehicles and operators for 2026/27. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health introduced the report.
The purpose of the report was to set the Council’s fees for Hackney and Private Hire Vehicles and Operators in
accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health said that the Licensing Committee was responsible for licensing:- Licensing Act 2003 licences, taxi and private hire operators and drivers, pleasure boats, gambling act 2005 premises, sex establishments and street trading. The Council must set the fees on a cost recovery basis, not making a profit or running at a loss. On 20 October 2025 the Licensing Committee approved all licensing fees which would come into effect on 1 April 2026. A consultation took place for the proposed licensing fees for private hire and hackney carriage vehicles and private hire operators for 2026/27 and as two objections were received during the consultation period and not withdrawn, the Committee were required to consider those objections and set a further date of no later than 6 February 2026 on which the table of fees would come into force, with or without modifications. The proposed fees were calculated to reflect officers' time to process applications, cost of materials for producing plates, badges, enforcement, website maintenance, policy development, software systems for applying applications, training and legal advice. The proposed fees did not factor in some costs incurred by the licensing authority such as the cost of investigating reports of unlicensed drivers. The recommendation was read out to the Licensing Committee and the Chair invited questions and debate.
Councillor Robinson referred to the two letters of objection received, one of which related to lack of consultation and a lack of explanation as to how the figures had arrived at and the second related to the rise in fees affecting their profits. He asked how this had been addressed.
The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health replied that the costs were arrived at using a full cost recovery model. Everything had been taken into consideration, this was a fair process and they were in a good position to say that everything had been noted.
The Licensing Manager and Housing Lead Lawyer added that the costs didn't include the cost of unlicensed drivers. The calculations were made in conjunction with finance and full details of the costing calculations were provided at the previous committee, where there was the opportunity to ask questions. The Committee approved the fees with the calculations attached. He reiterated that the costs were not designed to deter or attract drivers, they were purely cost recovery calculations.
Councillor Robinson replied he supported the cost calculation process, he felt it was important to address the objections received in the Committee.
Councillor Back noted that the increase was less than the rate of inflation, therefore there were not grounds to object.
Councillor Folley said she had read both objections, one of which she had dismissed as she had sat on a recent Licensing Sub-Committee and they were no longer a driver. She supported the proposed fees.
The Licensing Manager and Housing Lead Lawyer added that the fee calculation exercise was repeated annually, and in the unlikely event that there was an over or under charge that would be carried over to the following year. At the end of the year there should be a complete cost recovery calculation.
Councillor Robinson was happy to propose that the recommendation be accepted. Councillor Hedgley concurred with Councillor Folley, that one of the objectors no longer held a licence.
On the proposition of Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Folley it was
RESOLVED
That Committee:
1. having approved all licensing fees in October 2025, the Licensing Committee considers the two representations received regarding the variation in fees for hackney carriages, private hire vehicles and private hire operators.
2. having considered the two representations, the Licensing Committee approves the fees without modification.