Appendix 4 - Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment
Perth and Kinross Council · 30 June 2025
Back to Licensing Committee — 30 June 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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1 PKC - PUBLIC Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) for Perth and Kinross Council Review of Taxi Fares Introduction The Council is required to review the scales of fares and other charges for Taxis in the area at intervals of not more than 18 months. A review has been carried out which involved consulting with the public and the taxi/private hire trade. The options consulted on are set out in the Committee Report considered by the Licensing Committee on 30 June 2025. 1. Which articles of the UNCRC does this policy/measure impact on? Those are not able to drive are likely to rely more on public transport including taxi services. A significant part of the population in Perth and Kinross does not have access to a private car. While younger children are likely to be accompanied by a parent or carer when travelling, some young people will travel independently and may use taxis. Perth and Kinross is also a predominantly rural area, where access to bus services can be limited. Taxis therefore play a role in enabling children, young people and families to access transport. Children and young people with a disability may also rely more on taxi services if their parents do not have access to their own transport. The cost and availability of taxis and private hire cars will impact on those families with a lower income, who may not have access to their own transport. Decisions about the fees and charges for taxi services do therefore have an impact on children and young people and their families. Access to transport will be an important factor in enabling children and young people to access recreational and social activities and possibly to allow them to meet friends and family. Therefore, decisions about the fares and charges for taxis may impact on Article 15 – freedom of association Article 23 – children with a disability have the right to live a full life and to play an active part in their community Article 31 – the right to relax, play and take part in activities 2. What impact will your policy/measure have on children’s rights?
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2 PKC - PUBLIC Those are not able to drive are likely to rely more on taxis as a form of public transport, changes to the cost of taxis may impact on those groups more than the general population. Whilst an increase in fares may have an adverse impact on these groups, it is equally important to these groups that the taxi trade continues to be financial sustainable. The fees need to be set at a level which takes account of the costs of running the taxi service and providing a living income to the operators and drivers. What we have included is a 3% or 5% figure as these represent both the Consumer Price Index and reported expected inflation increases over the coming year which mitigates the adverse impact as far as possible. 3. Will there be different impacts on different groups of children and young people? All children and young people who do not have access to their own transport may be impacted. Children and young people with or affected by disability or where their family has a lower income may be more affected than other groups of children. 4. If a negative impact is assessed for any area of rights or any group of children and young people, can you explain why this is necessary and proportionate? What options have you considered to modify the proposal, or mitigate the impact? As indicated above, an increase in fares has to achieve a balance between avoiding an increase in cost for users against a need to set fares at a level which takes account of the costs of running the taxi service and providing a living income to the operators and drivers. The options put forward are either no change, a 3% increase or a 5% increase. The increases are linked to either the Consumer Price Index or reported expected inflation increases over the coming year. This mitigates the adverse impact as far as possible by ensuring that the increase is only sufficient to meet expected increased costs as far as possible. 5. How will the policy/measure give better or further effect to the implementation of the UNCRC in Scotland? The options will minimise the cost increase to the public while also seeking to ensure a sustainable income for operators and drivers. This will help to ensure that taxi and private hire services continue to be available, enabling children and young people to access friends, family and activities. 6. How have you consulted with relevant stakeholders, including involving children and young people in the development of the policy/measure? A general consultation with the public and trade was undertaken in line with statutory requirements.
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3 PKC - PUBLIC 7. What evidence have you used to inform your assessment? The Council’s Let’s Talk Transport (Main Issues) Report Lets_Talk_Transport_- _Main_Issues_Report_1.pdf and Mobility Strategy Mobility Strategy set out information about the rurality of the area and the implications that this has for transport. From those reports, we can see that 21% of households have no access to a car. The Main Issues report also notes that 35% of SIMD datazones are at high risk of transport poverty and that 18% of the population indicated in the 2011 that their activities were limited by a long term health condition. Many of those households will include children and young people. 8. How will the impact of the policy/measure be monitored? Taxi fares and charges are reviewed at least every 18 months. Lead Officer Responsible Signed K. Engelberts Name Karen Engelberts Date 23 June 2025 Quality Assured by Perth and Kinross Council Equality and Fairness Impact Assessment trained officer (within service) Signed S. Rodger Name Sarah Rodger Date 23 June 2025