Agenda item

To receive the final report of the Late-Night Taxi Fares Task Group. This report will be added to the agenda as a supplementary item.

The Committee considered the report of the Late-Night Taxi Fares Task Group, which presented the findings and recommendations of the Task Group for endorsement and referral to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social care, Public Health and Public Protection.

Cllr Graham Payne, Chairman of the Late-Night Taxi Fares Task Group introduced the final report of the Task Group. He thanked all those involved in the Task Group, including the Scrutiny Lead, Task group members, Council officers and witnesses. He explained that the Task Group met with 6 witnesses from the Salisbury area including the late night economy, Managing Director of a Salisbury-based taxi company and a representative of the taxi trade in the Salisbury area. In addition, the Task Group also met with taxi trade representatives from other parts of the county.

In particular, Cllr Payne reported on the following issues:

·       The set-up of the Task Group, the number of occasions the Task Group met and how they undertook the Review.

·       The loss of trade to other locations following the introduction of revised tariffs in 2014.

·       Tariff 2 and upwards being out of kilter with other Local Authorities, including Tariff 5 being significantly higher.

·       The number of taxi’s operating in Salisbury.

·       The need to continue to raise standards across the trade, including the possibility of introduction BTEC qualification for Hackney Carriage drivers.

·       Lack of the availability of disabled Hackney Carriages.

·       Evidence received of safeguarding issues for drivers and passengers.

·       In addition to the recommendations in the Task Group report, to request officers undertake an appraisal of the current Council Tariffs compared to regional averages.

In response to questions about benchmarking Council fares against Uber fares, Cllr Payne reported that the task Group report concluded that this matter should be considered in the longer term.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Public Protection, thanked the Task Group and Scrutiny Lead. He welcomed the report, and explained that he would follow up the issues raised and recommendations of the Task Group with officers and the Licensing Committee, as appropriate. He would also provide regular updates to the Environment Select Committee.

The Chairman thanked the Chairman of the Task Group and officers for attending the meeting and providing responses to the issues raised.

Resolved: To endorse that the Task Group recommends that the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Public Protection:

1.    Takes into account the evidence presented, considers and consults on whether the current maximum late-night taxi tariffs are appropriate across the county – including in Salisbury – and to consider:

a.    removing tariffs 3 and 5 altogether (currently 2.30-5.59am), and

b.    operating tariff 2 between 12.00-5.59am rather than between 10.30pm-2.29am.

2.    Reviews the significant difference between the current maximum tariffs for 5- and 8-seater taxis (particularly when compared with equivalent differences in other areas) and considers if these are justified by any additional costs associated with operating larger vehicles.

3.    In addition to expanding the council’s existing ‘Fit and Proper Person’ requirements regarding taxis, which the task group supports, considers introducing a requirement that all drivers pass a BTEC qualification in the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver in order to ensure the highest standards of service and protection for the public.

4.    Considers whether the introduction of CCTV in taxis as a way of safeguarding passengers and drivers is appropriate, having assessed the opportunities and risks, and the experiences of other local authorities.

5.    Calculates the total number of taxis in Wiltshire that are suitable and available for disabled passengers (other than those generally being used under council contracts) and takes action to increase this if necessary, including, if appropriate, by amending the requirement on taxi companies within the relevant policy.

6.    To undertake an appraisal of the current Council Hackney Carriage Tariffs in comparison to other Local Authorities and regional averages.

7.    To receive regular updates on actions taken in relation to the above recommendations.