Taxi drivers in Herefordshire are facing an increase to licence fees, with many drivers raising concerns about the plans.
Herefordshire Council is consulting regarding increasing the fees paid for applications associated with Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle, Driver and Operator Licence under Section 70 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.
A copy of these proposed fees can be found at:
https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/directory/21/licences-and-permissions/category/37
If no objections are received or are not withdrawn, the proposed fee increase shall come into force on 25 April 2022.
If objections are received, the Council will consider them and set a new date when the new fees will come into force.
Earlier this month, 177 drivers signed a petition stating:
We the undersigned petition the council to politely request that senior licensing department officers and a small delegation of elected councillors meet with representatives of the taxi association prior to any vote being taken on the new proposed Licensing Policy and Conditions.
Petition to Herefordshire District Council from members of Hereford Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association for the council meeting 04/03/2022
I thank the members of the Hereford Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Association for submitting this petition to Herefordshire Council on the 4th March 2022.
The consultation responses arising from the review of the Taxi Licensing Policy are being considered with the support of our lawyers as well as the independent taxi licensing solicitor, James Button, who is one of the UK’s leading authorities on such matters. I am advised that the Full Council meeting in May is to be dedicated to the business of the council’s AGM, so I have asked that the policy be deferred to 29th July meeting as this is a complicated policy which requires time to ensure that the policy presented to Full Council in July is fit for purpose, reasonable and enforceable. The Council held two meetings inviting the trade to discuss their concerns and encouraged all their members to present their views through the consultation to ensure their voice was heard, so there are many consultation comments to consider.
That said we acknowledge the existing policy is causing concerns with the trade, which remains in force until the new policy is adopted. It has always been my intention to meet with the trade before we release the final version and anticipate that we will be at this stage in May. Further details of when and how we can meet will be circulated to you in due course. In the meantime, I therefore ask that the trade be patient with Council, in particular the licensing department, as it essential we get this right and give it the time it deserves.
The Council has a duty of care to ensure that the policy does not compromise public safety or safeguarding, whilst at the same time we do appreciate that the policy should not disadvantage drivers and operators where at all possible.
The policy has a rigorous governance process to follow on its route to full Council.
Cllr Tyler, Cabinet Member Housing, regulatory services and community safety
