The Head of Community Services has submitted a report which details the Council practice of the Taxi Licensing function paying for the costs incurred for the Recalibration and Sealing of Taxi-meters fitted to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles following Variations of Tariffs.

Officer Recommendations: That the General Purposes Licensing Committee resolves to:

1.         determine what action, if any, should be taken in relation to the Authority funding the recalibration and sealing of taximeters.

The Head of Community Services submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) which detailed proposals concerning the Council practice of the Taxi Licensing function paying for the costs incurred for the Recalibration and Sealing of Taxi-meters fitted to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles following Variations of Tariffs.

The Licensing Manager presented the report and explained the background to the current arrangement.  He explained that it was a commercial decision by the taxi trade to increase their tariffs which required the recalibration and resealing of taxi meters.  He said that this was not common practice for other local authorities to finance the activity.

The Committee considered the two options presented in the report and concluded that in view of the financial pressures facing the Council it was not a good use of its limited resources to continue the current practice of paying for the costs incurred for the recalibration and sealing of taxi-meters.

The Committee resolved to adopt option b):

b)    Remove funding in its entirety, and request that the Licensing Manager write to all Hackney Carriage Vehicle licence holders and Private Hire Operators informing them that the previously funded service for recalibration and meter-sealing has now ceased owing to it not being financially viable in light of the financial demands placed on the service.