To confirm the Minutes of the Licensing Applications Sub-Committee 3 meeting held on 27 November 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To review the fares for Hackney Carriages.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report asking the Sub-Committee to consider whether to approve and recommend an increase in hackney carriage fares.

The report noted that hackney carriage fares had last been reviewed by the Sub-Committee in August 2017 (Minute 5 of the meeting held on 2 August 2017 refers).  The Sub-Committee had approved a 20 pence increase to the flag drop for both day and evening tariffs.  The flag drop was the starting amount shown on the taxi meter when a passenger agreed to take a taxi.

The report advised that a fare rise had been requested by the Reading Taxi Association (RTA) by means of a decrease in the yardage for day time fares only.  It was proposed that, after the flag drop, yardage be decreased from 145 yards (0-2 miles) and 140 yards (over 2 miles) to either 133 yards or 134 yards for all day time distances.  This equated to an average increase of 3.50% (for decrease to 133 yards) and 3.99% (for decrease to 134 yards) for day time fares.

The current table of fares was attached to the report at Appendix I and a proposed table of fares (based on a decrease to 133 yards for all day time fares) was attached to the report at Appendix II.  A proposed table of fares (based on a decrease to 134 yards for all day time fares) and the email from the RTA requesting a fare increase was tabled at the meeting.  The National Fares Table was attached to the report at Appendix III.  The report advised that the Reading Cab Drivers Association (RCDA) had been consulted on the proposals made by the RTA and a copy of the RCDA’s response was attached to the report at Appendix IV.

Asif Rashid, Chair of the RTA, was present at the meeting and addressed the Sub Committee on the proposals and responded to questions.  Chris Avery, Chair of the RCDA, was also present at the meeting and addressed the Sub Committee and responded to questions.

Resolved –

That the Head of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be recommended to approve an increase in hackney carriage fares by means of a decrease in yardage after the flag drop to 133 yards for all daytime fares, subject to no objections being received as a result of advertising the proposed increase in a local newspaper.

At this point, the following motion will be moved by the Chair:

“That, pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following items on the agenda, as it is likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act”

That, pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), members of the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following item of business as it was likely that there would be disclosures of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, specified in Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.

Consideration of Vehicle Driver’s Licences

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report asking the Sub-Committee to consider the grant of a hackney carriage vehicle driver’s licence, the suspension or revocation of private hire vehicle driver’s licences and an appeal against the allocation of penalty points on a private hire vehicle driver’s licence.

A summary of the circumstances of each case was appended to the report.

MAH and MS were present at the meeting and both were represented by Mr Adonis Daniel, Solicitor.  MRA was also present at the meeting.  All addressed the Sub-Committee and responded to questions.  LMS was not present at the meeting.

Resolved –

(1)           That the application in respect of MAH for the grant of a three year hackney carriage vehicle driver’s licence be granted for one year, to be effective from the date on the licence issued, subject to MAH passing a drugs test prior to the licence being issued and the completion of the application process including any payment of additional fees, and that the Head of Planning, Transport and Regulatory Services be authorised to renew the licence for a further two years subject to no breaches of licensing conditions, offences being committed or complaints being received within the one year period;

(2)     That, the private hire vehicle driver’s licence in respect of MS remain in force, with a warning as to future conduct;

(3)     That the appeal by MRA against the allocation of three penalty points on his private hire vehicle driver’s licence be upheld;

(4)     That the consideration of the suspension or revocation of the private hire vehicle driver’s licence in respect of LMS be deferred to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee to allow LMS to attend and that the application would be determined at the next meeting whether or not LMS attended, and that LMS be written to in order to advise of the new meeting date and to explain that if he does not attend the next meeting, the matter will be considered and decided in his absence.