Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kemp and Mahil. 

To approve the record of the meeting held on 4 February 2022.

The record of the meeting held on 4 February 2022 was agreed and signed by the Chairman. 

There were none. 

Members are invited to disclose any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests in accordance with the Member Code of Conduct.  Guidance on this is set out in agenda item 4.

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other significant interests (OSIs)

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

The purpose of this report is to present Members with the outcome of the recent consultation with Medway-licensed taxi trade on whether or not the tariff should be reviewed and seek approval for the next steps.

Discussion:

The Sub-Committee considered a report on the outcome of the recent consultation with the Medway licenced taxi trade on whether or not the Hackney Carriage fare tariff should be reviewed. Members were advised that, of the 263 responses received, 193 were in favour of a review and 70 were not.

The Chairman invited Nigel Jackson, the Chairman of the Medway Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (MLTDA) to address the Sub-Committee. He referred to a division within the Hackney Carriage trade on the issue of a fare tariff increase as rising costs had to be balanced against the need to remain competitive with Uber. Mr Jackson requested that, in addition to the three options for an increase submitted by the MLTDA, a fourth option – no increase in tariff – be added to broaden the consultation. He also asked that the Association assist with the consultation and the Licensing Manager confirmed that this would be permissible, provided the consultation was led by the Council.

The Committee also discussed the issue of contactless payment for fares. Mr Jackson advised that the results of an MLTDA consultation two years ago had shown 52% of respondents to be in favour of contactless payment and 48% against. The main area of concern at that time had been the number of areas within Medway with a poor signal, although he noted that, due to network upgrades, signal strength was now much better.

Decision:

The Sub-Committee:

a)     considered the results of the tariff poll and agreed to proceed with a review of the current taxi tariff;

b)     considered the tariff suggestions submitted by the Medway Licenced Taxi Drivers Association;

b)     authorised officers to consult the taxi trade on its preferred option, A, B or C, or additional option D - no increase in tariff - via email, the results of which would be brought back to a future meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee; and

d)     agreed that a report on contactless payment for fares be considered at a future meeting of the Sub-Committee.