To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hilton, Hollingsworth, Luxton, Richards and Smith.

Councillors Story and Wilson were substituting.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest noted.

To confirm the Minutes of the last meeting held on 12 January 2016.

The minutes of the last meeting on Tuesday 12 January 2016 were unanimously agreed.

Steve Johnson, Enforcement Principal, to present the report to the Licensing Panel Members.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPENDIX D IS TO FOLLOW.

The Chairman invited the speaker, Mr Yasin, Chairman of RBWM taxi association, to address the Panel Members. Mr Yasin voiced his concerns about the many increases that the Hackney Carriage drivers were having to deal with. Mr Yasin was concerned that the fares remained the same and drivers were at a loss. Mr Yasin suggested making the start fare £3.00 instead of £2.80 and increasing both the extra passenger fare and the extra baggage fare from 20p to 40p. Mr Yasin was basing all these increases on the recent charges that were implemented such as the DVLA database check fee of £7.50 and the increase in the temporary licence fee.

The Chairman advised Panel Members that there were 180 Hackney vehicles, there were 1500 drivers and 1100 private hire vehicles. The last increase of 3% was in 2014.

Steve Johnson advised Panel Members that they needed to concentrate on Hackney Carriage fare tariffs only. The local authority could only set Hackney Carriage fares, not private hire vehicle fares. Steve Johnson explained the report and all its appendices. The recommendation for Members was to consider increasing the Hackney Carriage fares.

Members raised the following points:

·         Councillor Story was concerned about people who regularly use taxi’s for going to the doctor or to hospital and highlighted that he would not support an increase in fares that would effect local people doing local, short, necessary journeys. Councillor Story was informed that a 2% price increase would no change the current fare of short trips.

·         Councillor Bicknell was concerned that there was no common denominator to compare the price now and the variations with all the suggested price increases. Councillor Bicknell considered that a total number of journeys on average would be useful information too and that if there was a threat that new taxi firms such as Uber were taking business then keeping fares low was necessary. Councillor Bicknell reminded Members that Hackney Carriages had to keep their meter on whilst doing a journey or could agree a fare with the passenger.

·         Councillor Alexander highlighted that fuel prices had decreased, which was a large cost to drivers but now the fuel prices had fallen, why was the increase of fares necessary.

·         Councillor Bowden discussed the taxi ranks in Windsor and the number of yards charged for passengers using one rank instead of the other.

·         Councillor Sharp was not content with the layout of all the information provided and therefore felt that he was not qualified enough to make a decision. Councillor Sharp suggested that they needed a comparison table to be able to make comparisons and then a decision.

·         Councillor Sharpe highlighted that the Panel was trying to achieve the support for Hackney Carriage fares and help for the local authority to cover their costs.

·         Councillor Hunt reminded Members that Hackney Carriage vehicles were the only ones who could collect passengers on their return journey, other taxi vehicles could not.

·         Councillor Bicknell highlighted that there were 185 Hackney Carriage vehicles running as self  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

Members to note that the next meeting will be on Tuesday 11 October 2016 at 6.00pm.

Members noted the next meeting of the Licensing Panel would be Tuesday 11 October 2016.