(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 for the taxi trade to use a recommended petrol supplier and either of the stations put forward (Outland Road or Wolseley Road) were supported;

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the PLTA would be keen to work with the Council to ‘clean up’ the trade and encourage members of the public using this service to be more respectful of the drivers and their vehicles.

(c)

the Mid Devon tariff had been amended a few weeks ago (which had been agreed at a Committee on 6 October 2021);

(d)

raised concerns that the adoption of a policy and associated formula for setting future taxi fares (tariffs) in the city should not rely on an algorithm and should be undertaken in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, the lead opposition member and be submitted to the Committee for consideration;

(e)

raised concerns that the Equality Impact Assessment was miss-leading, as whilst it stated that 100% of vehicles were wheelchair accessible, a number of vehicles may not be able to operate, as a result of drivers holding an exemption certificate;

(f)

sought clarification as to the number of current drivers with exemption certificates; (it was noted that currently 20% of drivers held an exemption certificate, although this number fluctuated);

(g)

queried whether the Equality Impact Assessment should refer to the Social Inclusion Unit (as this department no longer existed);

(h)

requested that for ease of reference future tariff reports showed the increases in percentages;

(i)

it was considered that the tariff increases would help to attract new drivers into the trade, whilst also supporting it, as currently it was under a lot of financial pressure (such as the cost of new vehicles and licences);

(j)

welcomed the collaboration between the Council officers, the trade and PLTA in relation to this exercise;

(k)

sought clarification on the process and the timeline for adopting the new fares (tariffs);

(l)

sought clarification as to whether a definition of soiling could be put on the website (the wording to be agreed with the trade); it was considered that this may help cases that went to the small claims court;

(m)

whether there was a process in place for monitoring the faith of taxi drivers;

(n)

considered that a number of issues raised at this meeting (including encouraging drivers back to the trade, the impact of the number of drivers with a wheelchair exemption certificates)should be raised with the relevant Cabinet Member.

(1)

amended tariff table (submitted at the Committee meeting) was substituted for the original table in the report; the changes were as follows (highlighted in yellow) –

‘there is a no proposal to increase the price per mile (running mile) across the three tariffs.’

‘in terms of the national context, as at October 2021, Plymouth at £6.00 £6.30 is ranked 182 119 out of the 363 local authorities, which regulate taxi fares (Source Private Hire and Taxi Monthly’.

(2)

amended Mid Devon figures were substituted for the original table in the report; the changes were as follows (highlighted in yellow) -

(3)

Equality Impact Assessment is amended to include a statement ‘that whilst 100% of vehicles were wheelchair accessible, some vehicles may not be able to operate, as a result of drivers holding exemption certificates and there may be an impact on the client group’; (this change was made to the part of the assessment based upon the representation heard during the meeting that approximately 20% of the current drivers held exemption certificates);

(4)

references to the Social Inclusion Unit were removed from the Equality Impact Assessment.

(5)

to approve the proposed tariff structure in the Taxi Table of Fares, as set out in Appendix 2, subject to the following amendments to the Extra Charges -

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increase the Fuel Surcharge amount from £1.40 to £1.50;

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to  change the designated fuel station from Exeter Street to Outland Road, Esso Station;

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increase the soiling charge from £50 to £100 and to change the wording to read ‘for any soiling of vehicle, inside or out up to’;

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increase the entrance to MOD establishments booking fee, or from Plymouth Railway Station (subject to permit) from 40p to 50p;

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include a new extra charge ‘in the event of an extra public holiday being announced within the life of this tariff, the tariff stands with an additional charge to be added to the meter for each hiring on the new bank holiday of 50p;

(6)

to authorise the advertising of the tariff, as set out in Appendix 2 (of the report as amended above), as required by the Plymouth City Council Act, 1975 and to allow the tariff to come into effect four weeks after the period allowed for objections should no objections be received;

(7)

the change of wording in recommendation 3 as follows -

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‘approve the Officers undertaking the exploration, development and adoption of a policy and associated method in consultation with trade representatives for setting future taxi fares (tariff), in Plymouth.