Agenda

Of the meeting held on 27^th September 2022 to be approved and signed.

That the Committee:

1.       Note the contents of this report, and in particular the draft Licensing  & Environmental Health fees and charges for 2023/24 at Appendix 1;

2.       Approve the undertaking of a 28-day public consultation in respect of the proposed increase to hackney carriage and private hire vehicles fees & charges as required by Section 70 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976; and

3.       Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Operations, Homes & Communities in consultation with The Chair and Vice Chair of Licensing & Environmental Health Committee, to recommend the draft Licensing & Environmental Health fees and charges 2023/24 to Council for approval, subject to review of the consultation feedback in respect of recommendation 1.2.

That the Committee note the contents of the report and in particular the work already undertaken to meet the requirements of the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022.

That the Committee:

1.       Notes the contents of the report and in particular the proposal to incentivise the transition to electric hackney carriages and private hire vehicles through a fee and charge exemption for the period 2023/24 – 2025/26;

2.       Approves the undertaking of a 28-day fee consultation process in respect of the proposal as required by Section 70 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976;

3.       Recommends to Environment Committee the release of up to £37,000 from the taxi reserve to implement this scheme, subject to the outcome of the consultation exercise referred to in recommendation 1.2;

4.       Delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Operations, Homes & Communities in consultation with The Chair and Vice Chair of Licensing Committee, to incorporate the fees & charges proposal into the 2023/24 Draft Licensing & Environmental Health Fees and Charges for consideration, subject to the review of consultation feedback; and

5.   Notes that further work will be undertaken with the Worcester taxi trade in respect of the existing policy on vehicle age limits and reported back to this Committee in March 2023 for consideration.

For Committee to note the contents of the report.

Which in the opinion of the Chair is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.