The Licensing Committee of Cambridgeshire Council met on Monday, 24 June 2024, to discuss several key issues, including the annual review of licensing fees and charges, environmental considerations for taxi and private hire licensing policy, and the cumulative impact assessment. Decisions were made on all these topics, with significant implications for local businesses and residents.

Annual Review of Licensing Fees and Charges 2024-25

The committee reviewed and approved the revised fees and charges for licences and associated items, which will take effect from 1 April 2024. The Environmental Health Manager explained that the fees are set on a cost recovery basis, ensuring the council does not make a profit from these charges. The committee resolved unanimously to approve the new fee levels and requested that officers communicate these changes to the public, businesses, and the taxi trade.

The Vice-Chair of Cambridge Licensed Taxis, representing about 162 licensed drivers in Cambridge, raised concerns about the significant increase in the one-year Hackney Carriage licence charge, which had risen by 200-300%. The Environmental Health Manager clarified that the increases reflect the true cost of running the taxi licensing service and noted that the annual driver's licence fee had been reduced following a consultation with the committee chair.

Environmental Consideration for Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy

The committee considered a report on the environmental considerations for the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicle fleet. The report reviewed the decision effective from June 2022 to allow standard hybrid saloon vehicles with emission levels of 120g/km of CO2 to be licensed until June 2024. The committee resolved unanimously to remove the inclusion of standard hybrid saloon vehicles within the policy, effective from June 2024. This decision aligns with the council's broader environmental goals and its commitment to reducing emissions.

Cumulative Impact Assessment

The committee reviewed the Cumulative Impact Assessment, which was published in March 2021 and needs to be reviewed every three years. The assessment evaluates the impact of licensed premises on the local community. The committee resolved unanimously to recommend to the council the approval of the draft Cumulative Impact Assessment, taking into consideration the results of the public consultation exercise and the information provided by Cambridge Constabulary and Public Health.

The meeting concluded with the committee's unanimous decisions on all discussed topics, reflecting a commitment to transparency, environmental sustainability, and community impact.