Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Alan Jones Evans, Annwen Hughes, Linda Ann Jones and Arwyn Herald Roberts.

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

No declarations of personal interest were received from any members present.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

None to note

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee, held on 12^th Junes 2023 be signed as a true record. 

The Chair signed the minutes of a meeting of this committee, that took place on 12 June 2023, as a true record

To submit, for information, minutes of the General Licensing Sub-committee meeting held on the following date –

a)    21 April 2023

b)    14 July 2023

Submitted and received, for information, the minutes of the General Licensing Sub-committees held on 21 April 2023 and 14 July 2023 as true records.

To consider and approve the proposal to raise the fees with effect from the 1 October 2023 to the recommended level; in accordance with the procedure outlined following the public consultation

DECISION

To approve the proposal to raise the fees with effect from the 1 October 2023 to the recommended level; in accordance with the procedure outlined following the public consultation.

A report was submitted requesting the Committee to approve the proposed taxi licence fees for 2023/24. Members were reminded that the Committee’s decision on 12 June 2023, was to approve increasing the taxi licence fees subject to a full public consultation, in accordance with the statutory requirements.

It was reported that it was a requirement for the Council to review its fees in respect of taxi licensing (i.e., hackney carriage licences, private hire vehicle licences, private hire operator and driver licences) on a regular basis and in 2013 this Committee resolved that the taxi fees would be reviewed annually.    

It was explained that Sections 53 and 70 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, note that fees may be charged at a level sufficient to recover reasonable costs.

·         For granting a driver’s licence for a hackney or private hire vehicle – costs associated with processing, administration and issuing licences.

·         For granting a vehicle and operator’s licence – inspection costs, hackney carriage stand, public notices, management and supervision of vehicles and any other costs associated with processing an application.

It was noted that the industry had received a letter outlining the proposed changes to fees and a public notice had appeared in the local press on 20 July 2023. The consultation period expired on 18 August and it was reported that one objection had been received expressing concern that the increase in fees would:

·         make things difficult for companies to attract new drivers to apply for taxi operator licences due to the costs involved with the licensing process.

·         there were already a shortage of taxis in Pwllheli and Pen Llŷn.

·         the industry was continuing to recover their businesses following a significant reduction in income during Covid.

·         the costs of the Licensing Unit were likely to have decreased as companies now used the online self-service system to submit applications. 

Gratitude was expressed for the report.

In response to a question regarding the operating rights across the County, it was noted that every taxi driver had the right to operate across Gwynedd, however issues / conflict / complaints arose when a taxi operated on another 'local' taxi rank. Outside Gwynedd, it was noted that any company had the right to operate across Counties, however booking was essential.

In response to a question regarding using the proposed substantial increase in the 3-year licence, it was accepted that this was the biggest increase that was recommended due to the work of ensuring that a driver is a fit and proper person (that will also in the future be in line with the Welsh Government's statutory requirements, including checking tax payments).

In response to a question regarding how Gwynedd compared with other Councils across North Wales, it was reported that Gwynedd was cheaper than Conwy County Borough Council but more expensive than Cyngor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.