Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers hit out at licence fee plan


TAXI drivers in Ripon have hit out at proposals to increase their licence fees by an inflation rate busting 17.5 per cent.

Harrogate Borough Council launched a 28-day consultation on increasing the licence fees it charges to hackney and private hire operators in the Harrogate district on Friday last week after its licensing committee agreed the proposed rise earlier in The month.

The hike – which would take effect from April next year if passed – has already drawn the fire of Richard Fieldman, chairman of the Ripon Taxi Association.

He said: "We have had to shoulder the burden of excess fuel prices and now taxi drivers suddenly face a big increase at a time when we are struggling for business."

There are between 50 and 60 operators in Ripon and Mr Fieldman said the taxi association would be fighting the proposals and planned to object during the consultation period.

"It is important that the public realise when we have a large increase, a large part of it will have to be passed on to them," he added.

Current fees

There are around 670 cars for hire in the Harrogate district and a driver operating one vehicle currently pays £225.36 in licensing fees to the council each year plus, depending on the age of his or her vehicle, £40 - 80 on compliance tests.

If the proposed 17.5 per cent increase was to go through, the licensing fees would increase to £264.71 a year.

The council says there are two parts to its proposed increase: 10 per cent to meet the requirement that the licensing service break even and 7.5 per cent to recruit an extra permanent member of administrative staff.

Until now, the post has been filled on a temporary basis and the council claims the licensing service would be less efficient if it was lost.

Efficiency

A spokesman said: "If we don't increase the staffing then it will be at the expense of enforcement because all our resources will go into administration."

She also indicated licence fees had not increased last year and rose just two per cent the year before.

The spokesman added: "We are currently the cheapest council in North Yorkshire to get a licence from and we are trying to ensure that enforcement and public safety is not compromised.

"Even if the 17.5 per cent increase takes place, we would still be in the top-three cheapest in the county."

Consultation

Any objections received before the consultation period ends in three weeks' time will be considered by the licensing committee at a meeting, on January 13 next year, when it is expected to make a final decision on the proposed fee increase.

If the licensing committee backs the rise, the increase in staffing levels would still need to be approved by the council's human resources committee.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I wonder how much time the extra staff will spend on taxis and PH?

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin