(a)

the report from the Director of Public Health;

(b)

heard representations from interested parties from the taxi trade and the PLTA which included the following main points -

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that the Mid Devon tariff detailed in the table within the report was incorrect and as such this reference should be removed; whilst confirmation of the tariff was awaited, it was known that this had increased twice since 2010;

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that it was standard practice across the country to charge for entry in to MOD establishments (the charge to enter the Portsmouth dockyard was £1);

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with regard to the impromptu bank holidays, it was highlighted that it was illegal for drivers to work on these holidays, if the meters had not been updated;

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it was a significant change to the fares (tariffs) having the same running mile rate in the day and evening, although this was standard practice in the majority of other taxi areas;

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with regard to the soiling charge, it was difficult for taxi drivers to receive the charge from customers and often this was pursued through the small claims court; with the proposed change to up to £100, the court would have the ability to award up to this limit;

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an offer was extended to all Committee members to experience how the meter worked on a short journey; this would give members a better understanding of this matter; (both the Chair and Councillor Corvid had already taken up this offer);

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raised concerns that the annual review of the formula for the tariffs would result in the mile not properly aligning (as it currently did), if an algorithm was used and urged for human intervention in this process;

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requested that the tariffs were proof read, prior to printing and distribution, as in 2017 there had been an error and these had to be re-distributed;

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the proposals outlined in the report were supported by the PLTA;

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it was important that the cost of operating a taxi was properly reflected in the tariffs (£58k had been spent on a new electric taxi);

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that the fares (tariffs) had not had an uplift since 2017 and that it was hoped that these increases would attract more drivers back into the taxi trade, as it had been severely impacted due to the Covid pandemic;

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it was considered that the increase in the Plymouth Railway Station charge to 50p would encourage drivers to operate in this area (as taxi drivers were required to pay a substantial monthly operating fee);

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it was also considered reasonable for the increase in the charge to 50p to enter the dockyard (private hire vehicles charged £2); this compensated drivers for their time in completing documentation, watching a HSE video, undergoing other checks and the amount of mileage spent driving without a passenger in the vehicle;

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it was hoped that the increase of the soiling charge from £50 to £100 would deter people’s anti-social behaviour; 

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the annual review of the tariffs was also supported;

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it was important  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.