Agenda Document Pack - Licensing Committee - 01/04/2026
North Ayrshire Council · 1 April 2026
Back to Licensing Committee — 1 April 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE Licensing Committee A Meeting of the Licensing Committee of North Ayrshire Council will be held in the Council Chambers, Ground Floor, Cunninghame House, Irvine, KA12 8EE on Wednesday, 01 April 2026 at 10:00 to consider the undernoted business. Meeting Arrangements - Hybrid Meetings This meeting will be held on a predominantly physical basis but with provision, by prior notification, for remote attendance by Elected Members in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 2003. Where possible, the meeting will be live-streamed and available to view at https://north-ayrshire.public- i.tv/core/portal/home. Licensing Exemption Para Please note that, whilst the items on this Agenda are public documents, consideration of some reports at the meeting may necessitate the passing of a resolution to exclude from the meeting the press and public in terms of Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. 1 Declarations of Interest Members are requested to give notice of any declarations of interest in respect of items of business on the Agenda. 2 Minutes The accuracy of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 4 March 2026 will be confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7 (1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (copy enclosed). 3 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and Other Licensing Statutes: Licensing Matters Submit report by the Head of Democratic Services on hearings to be determined, all in terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (copy enclosed). 1
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE 4 Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982: Taxi Fare Review Submit report by the Head of Democratic Services to continue the Taxi Fare Review and to fix new Taxi Fare Scales (copy enclosed). 5 Urgent Items Any other items which the Chair considers to be urgent. Webcasting Please note: this meeting may be filmed/recorded/live-streamed to the Council's internet site and available to view at https://north-ayrshire.public- i.tv/core/portal/home, where it will be capable of repeated viewing. At the start of the meeting, the Provost/Chair will confirm if all or part of the meeting is being filmed/recorded/live-streamed. You should be aware that the Council is a Data Controller under the Data Protection Act 2018. Data collected during the webcast will be retained in accordance with the Council’s published policy, including, but not limited to, for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available via the Council’s internet site. Generally, the press and public will not be filmed. However, by entering the Council Chambers and using the press or public seating area, you acknowledge that you may be filmed and that any information pertaining to you contained in the video and oral recording of the meeting will be used for webcasting or training purposes and for the purpose of keeping historical records and making those records available to the public. In making this use of your information the Council is processing data which is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest. If you have any queries regarding this and, in particular, if you believe that use and/or storage of any particular information would cause, or be likely to cause, substantial damage or distress to any individual, please contact dataprotectionofficer@north-ayrshire.gov.uk 2
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North Ayrshire Council, Cunninghame House, Irvine KA12 8EE Licensing Committee Sederunt Eleanor Collier (Chair) Nairn McDonald (Vice-Chair) John Bell Cameron Inglis Christina Larsen Matthew McLean Donald L. Reid Ronnie Stalker Angela Stephen Chair: Apologies: Attending: 3
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Licensing Committee 4 March 2026 IRVINE, 4 March 2026 - At a Meeting of the Licensing Committee of North Ayrshire Council at 10.00 a.m. Present (Physical Participation) Eleanor Collier, Nairn Angus-McDonald, Christina Larsen, Ronnie Stalker and Angela Stephen. Present (Remote Participation) John Bell and Donald L Reid. In Attendance D. Grier, Solicitor (Legal Services); C. Pollock, Licensing Manager, A. Kellas, Administration Assistant and S. Dalgoutte, Senior Clerical Assistant (Licensing) and H. Young, Senior Committee Services Officer (Corporate Services). Also in Attendance Sergeant S. Gray and A. Dempster, Licensing Administrator (Police Scotland). Chair Councillor Collier in the Chair. Apologies Cameron Inglis 1. Declarations of Interest In terms of Standing Order 11 and Section 5 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors, Councillor Larsen declared an interest in case 3.1 - Public Entertainment Licence – Temporary PEL/832 – and agreed to leave the meeting during consideration of this item of business, taking no part in its determination. 2. Minutes The accuracy of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 4 February 2025 were confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. 3. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and other Licensing Statutes: Licensing Matters 3.1 Public Entertainment Licence – Temporary PEL/832: John Thomson The applicant, having been duly cited to attend, was present. Objectors to the application were in attendance and their principal spokesperson, amongst others, addressed the Committee and responded to questions. The applicant then addressed the Committee on the issues raised and responded to questions. Agenda Item 2 5
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The Committee agreed that it had sufficient information available to allow it to make
a decision in respect of this matter.
The applicant and objectors then withdrew to allow the Committee to deliberate.
Thereafter the applicant and objectors re-joined the meeting, with the same
Members and Officers present and in attendance, to hear the Committee’s decision.
Decision
Councillor D.L Reid, seconded by Councillor Stalker, moved that the application be
granted. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried.
Accordingly, the Committee agreed to grant the application subject to the Council’s
standard conditions in terms of Paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 1 of the Civic
Government (Scotland) Act 1982.
3.2 Short Term Let: NA00935N: Fiona Holden
The applicant, having been duly cited to attend, was present and addressed the
Committee and responded to questions. Objectors to the application were in
attendance and addressed the Committee and responded to questions.
The Committee agreed that it had sufficient information available to allow it to make
a decision in respect of this matter.
Decision
Councillor D.L Reid, seconded by Councillor Larsen, moved that the application be
granted. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried.
Accordingly, the Committee agreed to grant the application under The Civic
Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-Term Lets) Order 2022 No. 32
("the STL Order") subject to (a) the Mandatory Conditions set out in Schedule 3 to
the STL Order and (b) the additional local condition set out as "The First Exception"
in Paragraph 10(b) of the Committee's "Licensing Policy Statement on Short-Term
Let Licensing".
3.3 Taxi Driver Licence: TDL/2100: Michael Shennan
At a previous meeting on 14 January 2026, the Committee agreed to continue
consideration of this application until court proceedings were complete.
The licence-holder, having been duly cited to attend, was present. Representatives
from Police Scotland were also in attendance.
The Committee agreed that it had sufficient information available to allow it to make
a decision in respect of this matter.
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Decision Councillor Angus-McDonald, seconded by Councillor D.L Reid moved that the Committee take no further action. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried. 3.4 Taxi Driver Licence: TDL/1918 (New): Robert Campbell The applicant, having been duly cited to attend, was present. Representatives from Police Scotland were also in attendance. Police Scotland addressed the Committee on the terms of a letter setting out their objection. The applicant then addressed the Committee on the issues raised and responded to questions. The Committee agreed that it had sufficient information available to allow it to make a decision in respect of this matter. Decision Councillor Larsen seconded by Councillor D.L Reid, moved that the application be refused on the basis that the applicant was not considered to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to refuse the application on the basis that the applicant was not considered to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence. 3.5 Taxi Driver Licence: TDL/02558 (New): Dylan Sargent At a previous meeting on 12 November 2025, the Committee agreed to continue consideration of this application to allow the applicant the opportunity to attend. The applicant, having been duly cited to attend, was not present. Representatives from Police Scotland were in attendance. The Committee agreed that it had sufficient information available to allow it to make a decision in respect of this matter. Decision Councillor Collier, seconded by Councillor Stalker moved that the application be refused on the basis that the applicant was not considered to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to refuse the application on the basis that the applicant was not considered to be a fit and proper person to hold such a licence. 7
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4. Short-Term Let Licensing Policy Review 2026 with Revised Fees Submitted report by the Head of Democratic Services on the revised Short-Term Let (STL) policy, a revised STL fee schedule and the move online for application forms and associated processes. The Solicitor (Legal Services) was heard in further explanation of the report, and associated appendices. The Committee agreed to (a) approve, subject to completion of an equality screening and any consequential minor amendments arising from that process, the revised STL Licensing Policy (2026) set out at Appendix A to the report; (b) approve the revised STL fee schedule set out at Appendix C to the report with effect from 1 April 2026 (and for subsequent publication on the Council website) and note that the fees may be reviewed from time to time in line with other Civic licensing fees; (c) move to an online STL application form process (with paper forms still available on request, where required); and (d) delegate authority to the Senior Manager, Legal Services (in consultation with the Chair, where necessary) to make any final, minor drafting adjustments to the Policy prior to final publication and implementation, provided these do not materially alter its substance. 5. Urgent Items There were no urgent items. The meeting ended at 12.20 p.m. The full meeting proceedings can be viewed at https://north-ayrshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/home 8
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 1 April 2026 Licensing Committee Title: Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and other Licensing statutes: Licensing Matters Purpose: To advise the Committee of: a) Hearings to be determined Recommendation: 1) That the Committee should decide whether or not to make a Resolution excluding the public from the meeting at which any of the matters in this Report are to be considered; 2) That the Committee consider and determine the matters before them. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 The Licensing Committee's remit is to exercise the Council's licensing functions. These functions arise under many statutes, mainly the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. Depending on the legislation and the circumstances of each individual case, the Committee is entitled to grant, refuse, renew, vary, suspend and revoke Licences. 2. Background 2.1 The Committee’s business under the 1982 Act is as follows: Appendix A - Licences and Permits where Hearings have been convened Exempt Information 2.2 The Committee will consider "Exempt Information" under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, Schedule 7A. The information is covered by one or more of the following categories of "Exempt Information" under Schedule 7A: Paragraph 3: "Information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient or former recipient of, any service provided by the authority." Paragraph 6: "Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority)." Paragraph 14: "Any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime." Agenda Item 3 9
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Paragraph 15: "The identity of a Protected Informant" - where "Protected Informant" is defined in Part III as a person who informs the Local Authority about a past, present or future crime, breach of statutory duty, breach of planning control, or nuisance. 2.3 The details of the cases in the Appendix, with any relevant documents (such as letters from the Police or objectors) are in the background papers given to Committee Members and will be sent to the respective Applicants or Licence-Holders before the Meeting. The Schedules are excluded from the published Agenda under Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, Section 50B(2) and (5). This has been done as the Clerk considers that the meeting is likely not to be open to the public while those Schedules are being considered, as they contain "Exempt Information". 2.4. The Committee is entitled, but not obliged, to make a Resolution excluding the public from a meeting during consideration of an item of business whenever it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during consideration of that item of business there would be disclosure to them of "Exempt Information" (Section 50A(4)). 2.5. For example: Paragraph 3 could apply in relation to information or advice requested by a member of the public. Paragraph 6 could apply to a business activity (such as where an Applicant wants a Licence for business or employment). Paragraphs 14 or 15 could apply where it was alleged that there was criminal conduct or anti-social behaviour committed by or against a Licence-Holder or Applicant for a Licence, or where the Committee was told that any person had committed a criminal offence (whether or not there had been concluded Court proceedings). 2.6. Accordingly, if a Resolution is made: (a) the publicly-accessible Minutes will exclude so much of the proceedings during which the public were excluded (Section 50C); (b) the Minutes will include a summary of the proceedings without disclosing the ‘Exempt Information’ (Sections 50C(2) & 50C(1)(b)). 3. Proposals 3.1 It is proposed that the Committee consider and determine each of the listed cases in accordance with the required procedure. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 There are possible financial implications in relation to any Licensing decision. 10
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Human Resources
4.2 None
Legal
4.3 There are possible legal implications in relation to any licensing decision. Depending
on the legislation, there may be a right of appeal.
Equality/Socio-economic
4.4 Equality Act 2010 imposes duties on the Council:
Section 1(1) ("Public sector duty regarding socio-economic inequalities"): the Council
"must, when making decisions of a strategic nature about how to exercise its
functions, have due regard to the desirability of exercising them in a way that is
designed to reduce the inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic
disadvantage."
Section 149(1) ("Public sector equality duty"): the Council
"must, in the exercise of its functions, have due regard to the need to -
(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct
that is prohibited by or under [that Act];
(b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a "Relevant
Protected Characteristic" and persons who do not share it;
(c) foster good relations between persons who share a "Relevant Protected
Characteristic" and persons who do not share it."
The "Relevant Protected Characteristics" are: age; disability; gender
reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual
orientation.
The Clerk has considered these Duties in preparing this Report and any specific impacts
will be evaluated where appropriate. Unless the Clerk advises the Committee otherwise
in a particular case, there are no significant impacts to be considered
Climate Change and Carbon
4.5 None.
Key Priorities
4.6 North Ayrshire Council has priorities for "Communities and Local Democracy" and
"Wellbeing" in the Council Plan 2023-2028 An effective licensing system, e.g.
monitoring the 'fit and proper' status of hire-car drivers and the safety of their cars, helps
achieve Strategic Aim-Wellbeing.
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Community Wealth Building 4.7 There are no Community Wealth Building issues. Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) 4.8 None United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 4.9 None Consumer Duty 4.10 None 5. Consultation 5.1 Consultations have been undertaken where appropriate with Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, and Council Directorates. Aileen Craig Head of Democratic Services For further information please contact Raymond Lynch, Manager, Legal Services, on Licensing@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Background Papers None 12
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Appendix A Case 1 Licence holder Taxi Licences Streamline Case 2 Applicant Short Term Let Licence Sneddon Enterprises Ltd NA00952N Case 3 Applicant Late Hours Catering Licence Abdul Jabber LHCL/136 Case 4 Licence holder Taxi Driver Licence Scott Havlin TDL/01625 13
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NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 1 April 2026 Licensing Committee Title: Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982: Taxi Fare Review Purpose: To continue the Taxi Fare Review and to fix new Taxi Fare Scales. Recommendation: That the Committee: (a) note the late correspondence received from Thomas Smith after the public consultation period; (b) fix new Scales; and (c) set a date on which the new Scales will become effective. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (“the Act”), the Council, as Licensing Authority, must from time to time review the maximum fare that taxis operating within North Ayrshire may charge and must fix Scales for fares and other charges. The Act requires that this be done within 18 months beginning with the date on which the current Scales came into effect. The current Scales are attached at Appendix A. They took effect on 18 November 2024. The present review therefore requires to be concluded by 18 May 2026. 1.2. The fares fixed by the Committee are the maximum fares which may be charged. Operators may charge less than the metered fare if they wish. These Scales do not set the fare for journeys which start or end out with North Ayrshire and any such fare should be agreed between the driver and the passenger before the journey starts. The Scales do not apply to private hire cars unless the driver and passenger agree before the journey starts to charge by meter. While the Council must review taxi fares periodically, it is not obliged to alter them. 1.3. When the Committee last considered this matter, it adopted a staged process for review, namely: Stage (a) - Meeting with taxi trade representatives/taxi operators to discuss proposals, consider revisions and finalise draft tariff Agenda Item 4 15
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Stage (b) - Licensing Committee meeting to approve the draft tariff for consultation and authorise advertisement of the proposed tariff in the local press Stage (c) - Public consultation to invite representations following advertisement Stage (d) - Licensing Committee meeting to consider representations and to fix the new Scales Stage (e) - Notification of the Scales to the Trade Stages (f) and (g) - Advertisement of the new Scales, depending on whether there is an appeal to the Traffic Commissioner Once the Scales have been fixed, taxi operators and representative trade bodies have rights of appeal to the Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish Traffic Area. 2. Background 2.1 The current Scales took effect on 18 November 2024 following the previous review. 2.2 In accordance with the statutory timetable, officers commenced the present review. The Stage (a) consultation meeting with representatives of the taxi trade was held on 23 October 2025. A Minute of that meeting is attached as Appendix B. 2.3 The matter then came before the Licensing Committee at Stage (b) on 10 December 2025. At that meeting, the Committee reviewed the current Scales, approved in draft the proposed revised Scales and authorised publication of those draft Scales for public consultation. The draft proposed Scales are attached as Appendix D. 2.4 The Stage (c) public consultation was thereafter carried out by public notice in the local press on 28 January 2026. That notice set out the proposed Scales and invited written representations. 2.5 No written representations were received during the statutory public consultation period. 2.6 On 17 March 2026, after the expiry of the statutory consultation period, the Licensing Authority received correspondence from Thomas Smith, a taxi operator, seeking an emergency increase of 50 pence per hire in light of recent fuel price increases. That correspondence was not submitted as part of the statutory consultation process. It has, however, been brought to Members’ attention as late correspondence concerning current trading conditions. A copy is attached as Appendix E. 3. Proposals 3.1 The Committee should now: (a) review the current Scales, (b) note the late correspondence received after the consultation period; (c) fix new Scales, and (d) decide the date when the new Scales will take effect. This date will then be the start of the 18-month period leading to the next Review. 16
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3.2. In fixing Scales, the Committee should consider: a) Scottish Government guidance on taxi fare reviews; b) the current Scales; c) general economic indicators relevant to taxi operating costs; d) the views of the Trade; and e) any written representations or other correspondence brought before it. Government Guidance 3.3 Scottish Government guidance advises licensing authorities, in conducting a tariff review, to pay particular regard to the costs incurred by the trade, including vehicle costs, maintenance and replacement costs, employment costs and wider wage and cost levels in related transport industries. The guidance also makes clear that the public interest is generally better served by maintaining an adequate taxi service and allowing the trade a fair return than by depressing fares for social reasons. If fares are fixed at a level higher than the market will bear, operators remain free to charge less. Current Scales 3.4 The current Scales are attached at Appendix A. Economic Indicators 3.5 Appendix C summarises relevant economic indicators obtained from official sources and considered at Stage (b). These show that, over the period from November 2024 to October 2025: • All Items CPI increased from 135.1 to 139.8, being an increase of 3.5%; • the Purchase of Vehicles index increased from 122.6 to 124.7, being an increase of 1.7%; • Motoring Expenditure increased from 606.4 to 640.6, being an increase of 5.6%; • the Petrol index fell slightly from 121.5 to 121.4; and • the Diesel index increased from 122.2 to 124.4, being an increase of 1.8%. 3.6 Appendix C also notes that the statutory National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over increased from £11.44 per hour to £12.21 per hour over that period, which is relevant to the earnings of many taxi drivers and to the overall cost base of the trade. Views of the Trade 3.7 The views expressed at the Stage (a) consultation meeting are recorded in Appendix B. In summary: ➢ representatives highlighted ongoing increases in insurance, repairs and maintenance, fuel and wage costs; ➢ they considered that the current flag fall was no longer sufficient to reflect those costs; ➢ they proposed a modest increase to the initial charge under Tariffs 1 and 2, while leaving the mileage and waiting-time elements unchanged; and ➢ they suggested that the festive tariff should begin at 7pm on Christmas Eve and 7pm on New Year’s Eve, to reflect demand and operating conditions on those evenings. 17
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Late Correspondence from Thomas Smith 3.8 Officers have considered the late correspondence from Thomas Smith. It is recognised that recent fuel prices may have increased operating costs for taxi operators. However, the statutory process under section 17 of the Act is framed around the proposal, consultation upon, and fixing of taxi fare Scales, together with a specified date on which those Scales are to come into effect. It does not provide any clear mechanism for the imposition of a temporary or emergency supplement of uncertain duration which would later fall away automatically if fuel prices reduce. 3.9 In particular, officers do not consider that there is a proper basis within the present review to impose a temporary additional charge of 50 pence per hire linked to future fuel-price movements, where there is presently no objective basis on which to determine how long such an additional charge should remain in force or when the position should revert. 3.10 If the Committee is minded to alter fares as part of the current review, the safer course is to do so by fixing revised Scales on a permanent basis through the statutory process. If fuel prices and other operating costs remain materially elevated, the Committee may wish to note that the 18-month period is a maximum interval between reviews rather than a minimum waiting period. If sustained evidence later emerges that a further change is justified, a fresh fare review could be commenced before the end of the usual cycle. 3.11 Officers therefore recommend that the Thomas Smith correspondence be noted as relevant background on current cost pressures, but that no attempt be made in this review to create a temporary emergency fuel supplement. Options Open to the Committee 3.12 There are at least four options open to the Committee: a) the Scales could remain unchanged from their current values. If the Committee wished this, it should dispense with the requirement in the licence conditions that operators have their meters recalibrated when the Fare Scales are fixed. This dispensation would relate only to the present review; b) the Committee could fix the Scales in the form of the draft proposal previously adopted and advertised for public consultation, namely: i) Tariff 1 flag fall increased from £3.50 to £4.00 for the first three-quarters of a mile, with no change to mileage or waiting-time charges; ii) Tariff 2 flag fall increased from £4.00 to £4.50, again with no change to mileage or waiting-time charges; iii) Tariff 3 amended so that the festive tariff begins at 7pm on 24 December and 7pm on 31 December; and iv) no change to the boundary zone charge, large vehicle charge or soiling charge; c) the Committee could fix the Scales in some other permanent form, if Members consider that justified by the material before them; or 18
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d) the Committee could fix Scales in this review and, if Members consider that current cost pressures may require further reconsideration, direct that a further fare review be commenced earlier than the usual cycle. 3.13 Officers do not recommend attempting to impose a temporary emergency surcharge linked to fuel prices as part of the present review, for the reasons set out above. 3.14 Members may wish to note that, because the draft proposal alters only the flag fall under Tariffs 1 and 2, the percentage increase is greater on shorter journeys and tapers off over longer journeys. The comparison table considered at Stage (b) illustrated the following examples: Tariff 1 (Normal), 1 mile: current fare £4.08, proposed fare £4.58, increase £0.50, approximate increase 12.3% Tariff 1 (Normal), 2 miles: current fare £6.38, proposed fare £6.88, increase £0.50, approximate increase 7.8% Tariff 1 (Normal), 5 miles: current fare £13.27, proposed fare £13.77, increase £0.50, approximate increase 3.8% Tariff 2 (Higher), 1 mile: current fare £4.75, proposed fare £5.25, increase £0.50, approximate increase 10.5% Tariff 2 (Higher), 2 miles: current fare £7.75, proposed fare £8.25, increase £0.50, approximate increase 6.5% Tariff 2 (Higher), 5 miles: current fare £16.75, proposed fare £17.25, increase £0.50, approximate increase 3.0% 3.15 If the Committee fixes new Scales at this meeting, it must also set a date on which those Scales are to come into effect. That date should allow time for: a) notice of the fixed Scales to be given to operators and consulted trade bodies; b) expiry of the 14-day appeal period; c) publication of the fixed Scales following expiry of that appeal period, if there is no appeal; and d) any necessary meter recalibration. 3.16 In addition, the Council has previously set a Monday effective date to allow operators to arrange meter recalibration over the preceding weekend. 3.17 On that basis, the proposed effective date is Monday 4 May 2026. This would allow time for the required notice, expiry of the appeal period, publication of the fixed Scales and any practical arrangements required by the trade. If the Committee wished to allow a longer lead-in period, it could instead fix a later Monday. 19
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4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 The taxi fare structure has substantial implications for both the trade and the community. In addition, legal costs to the Licensing Authority may arise if the fare review becomes subject to an appeal to the Traffic Commissioner, which may affect future licence fees. The Council is required to meet the expenses of the Traffic Commissioner whether or not the Council’s decision is upheld. Human Resources 4.2 None. Legal 4.3 The review and fixing of taxi fares is a statutory function under section 17 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. The procedure described in this report is designed to ensure compliance with that statutory scheme and to preserve the right of appeal for operators. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 An "Equality Impact Assessment" is not considered necessary. There are no socio- economic implications of the proposals. Climate Change and Carbon 4.5 None. Key Priorities 4.6 North Ayrshire Council has priorities for Aspiring Communities in the Council Plan 2023- 2028. An effective licensing system supports public safety and public confidence in licensed transport services. Community Wealth Building 4.7 Not applicable, as the Report does not relate to tendering or procurement exercises. Islands Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) 4.8 None. United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 4.9 None. Consumer Duty 4.10 The review of taxi fares supports consumer protection by ensuring that fare structures remain transparent, proportionate and are fair to both the Trade and the general public. 20
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5. Consultation 5.1 Trade consultation and statutory public consultation have taken place. In addition, Members have been provided with late correspondence received from a taxi operator after the consultation period had expired. There is no further consultation prescribed before the Committee determines whether to fix the Scales and the date on which they are to take effect. Aileen Craig Head of Democratic Services For further information please contact Raymond Lynch, Senior Manager (Legal), on raymondlynch@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. Background Papers Appendix A - Current Taxi Fare Scales Appendix B - Minute of Taxi Trade Consultation meeting, 23 October 2025 Appendix C - Economic Indicators Appendix D - Draft Proposed Taxi Fare Scales Appendix E - Late correspondence from Thomas Smith dated 17 March 2026 21
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