Item 6 - Taxi Fare Review - Dumbarton and Vale of Leven
West Dunbartonshire Council · 11 October 2023
Back to Licensing Committee — 11 October 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer - Regulatory and Regeneration Licensing Committee – 11 October 2023 Subject: Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 Review of Taxi Fares and Charges Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Taxi Licensing Zone 1. Purpose 1.1 To report to the Committee on the review of fares and charges applicable to taxis operating within the Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Taxi Licensing Zone. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee:-. a) consider the fare structure submitted by the Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Taxi trade and the representation submitted by Mr. Kelly be considered along with the scales for taxi fares and related charges which were proposed by the representatives of the Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Taxi Trade and published in the 4 July 2023 edition of the Lennox Herald. 2.2 b) fixes the scales for taxi fares and related charges and authorise Officers to conclude the review by notifying each taxi operator of the new scales, their right to appeal to the Traffic Commissioner and, if there is no subsequent appeal against the scales, by giving public notice that the new scales are to come in to effect. 3. Background 3.1 In terms of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act, 1982, licensing authorities must fix scales for taxi fares and related charges within 18 months from the date on which the scales came into effect. 3.2 The fares and charges which are applicable to taxis operating within the Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Taxi Licensing Zone have been in effect since 26 May 2022 and these are detailed in Appendix 1. 3.3 The proposal submitted on 26 June 2023 by Mr. John Watters, Secretary of the Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Taxi trade, was detailed as follows:- Flagfall increase the flagfall on all tariffs by 30p; Running Mile
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increase the running mile by 20p on tariffs 1, 2 and 3; increase the running mile by 10p on tariff 4; increase the running mile by 30p on tariif 5 and increase the running mile by 50p on tariff 6. Fares for waiting Increase the fares for waiting from:- 10p for every 15 seconds (£24.00 per hour) to:- 10p for every 10 seconds (£36.00 per hour) 3.4 The fare chart advertised in the 4 July 2023 edition of the Lennox Herald is detailed within Appendix 2. 4. Main Issues 4.1 In terms of the relevant legislation and considering the contents of the Taxi and Private Hire Car Licensing Guidance 3rd edition recently updated in May 2023, before fixing any scales or carrying out any review, in addition to consulting with persons or organisations appearing to be representative of operators of taxis within the area, the Licensing Authority is required: (a) to publish the proposed scales in a newspaper circulating in the area setting out the proposed scales, explaining the effect of the proposed scales and proposing a date on which the proposed scales are to come into effect; (b) to invite representations from any persons with respect to the proposals within a period of one month from the date of publication of the notice; and (c) to consider any such representations which have been duly lodged before a decision is taken on the matter. 4.2 Notice of the proposed scales appeared in the Lennox Herald on 4 July 2023 inviting representations from any persons with respect to the proposals to be received by 4 August 2023. 4.3 An email was received on 2 August 2023 from Mr Michael Kelly, a taxi operator within the Dumbarton & Vale of Leven taxi zone, making a representation in relation to the proposals. A copy of Mr. Kelly’s representation is detailed within Appendix 3. 4.4 Mr Kelly was in agreement with all the proposals which were advertised with the exception of fares for waiting. Mr. Kelly proposed that the current rate for waiting time of 10p for every 15 seconds be retained.
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Waiting Time Retain the current rate of waiting time at £24.00 per hour. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no personnel issues for the Council arising from this report. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 There are no financial implications for the Council arising from this report. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 There is no increased risk to the Council associated with the contents of this report. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 No impact assessment is required because this report does not involve any change to policies or services or financial decisions. 9. Consultation 9.1 An advert was placed in the 4 July 2023 edition of the Lennox Herald inviting representations to the proposed fare chart. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 In terms of the Council's Strategic Priorities, the purpose of licensing is to ensure our Communities are Resilient and Thriving. Chief Officer – Regulatory and Regeneration Date 18 September 2023 Person to Contact: Robert Mackie, Senior Officer (Licensing Services), Licensing Team, Municipal Buildings, College Street, Dumbarton, G82 1NR. Tel. No. (Direct line) 01389 738742. robert.mackie@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
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Appendices: 1. Current Fare Chart for Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Taxi Licensing Zone. 2. Proposed Fare Chart for Dumbarton & Vale of Leven zone. 3. Representation submitted by Mr. Michael Kelly. Background Papers: 1. Letter to Mr. John Watters dated 22 September 2023. 2. Letter to Mr. Michael Kelly dated 22 September 2023.