The Licensing Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss a number of licensing issues in Wiltshire, including proposed changes to hackney carriage fees, and updates from the police, passenger transport, taxi licensing and public protection teams. The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes of previous sub-committee meetings and licensing appeals.

Proposed Changes to Hackney Carriage Tariff and Fee Structure

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report by Tom Ince, Principal Compliance Officer, regarding proposed changes to the fees and tariffs for hackney carriages operating from taxi ranks in Wiltshire.

The report noted that Wiltshire Council has a statutory responsibility to license hackney carriage and private hire services, and to set the maximum fee levels that can be charged by licensed hackney carriage vehicles. The current schedule of fees and tariffs has been in place since December 2022, and the Taxi Licensing Team undertakes an annual review of fare levels.

Following a review in January 2025, the Taxi Licensing Team proposed changes to the current fees and tariffs schedule, which were communicated to the trade in April 2023. Following feedback, an amended proposal was put to the trade in early May 2025, which the majority of licence holders supported.

The proposed changes included:

For vehicles up to four seats:

• A 13.6% increase to tariff 1 mileage rate, up to £2.50 per mile (the day rate between 7am and 9.59pm)
• A 13.3% increase to tariff 2 mileage rate, up to £3.40 per mile (the night rate between 10pm and 6.59am)
• A 50% rise in the waiting time per minute (from 20p to 30p) for the tariff 1 time period (7am – 9.59pm)
• A 33% rise in the waiting time per minute (from 30p to 40p) for the tariff 2 time period (10pm to 6.59am)

For vehicles with more than four seats carrying more than four passengers:

• A 13.3% increase to tariff 2 mileage rate, up to £3.40 per mile (the day rate between 7am and 9.59pm)
• A 33% rise in the waiting time per minute (from 30p to 40P) for the tariff 2 time period (7am and 9.59pm)

The report argued that the proposed changes would ensure that residents and visitors travelling in Wiltshire pay appropriate fare rates, make the profession viable for the trade, and ensure that hackney carriage charges in Wiltshire are comparable to neighbouring areas.

The report also noted that there would be a small cost to each driver to update their meters should any changes be approved, estimated to be around £20 per driver.

Updates from Various Teams

The committee was scheduled to receive a number of updates from various teams, including:

• Police Licensing Officers Update: Alastair Day, Police Licensing Officer, was scheduled to provide an update, noting in his report that there was nothing serious of note to report, and that no current enforcement action was being taken in relation to any licensed premises in his areas of responsibility. He also noted that he would be engaging with various Neighbourhood policing teams to further promote the prevention of crime and disorder and safety at night within the night-time economy.
• Update from Passenger Transport Team: Jason Salter, Head of Service - Passenger Transport Unit, was scheduled to provide an overview on behalf of the Passenger Transport Unit. The Passenger Transport Unit delivers and administers home to school transport, concessionary fares, social care transport, public transport, and demand responsive transport[^1]. [^1]: Demand Responsive Transport is described in the report as Uber style transport and allows the user to be picked up close to their home and not have to walk out to a bus stop.
• Update from the Public Protection Team: Claire Francis, Head of Public Protection, was scheduled to provide a Public Protection Licensing team update. The update noted that the Community Protection Manager's role, which oversees the licensing team, has been offered to an external candidate with an extensive experience in Licensing, and that five Licensing Officers have been attending training for the Professional Licensing Practitioners Qualification. The update also provided information on event management, data updates, and the UEFA Women's Euro 2025.
• Update from the Taxi Licensing Team: Tom Ince, Principal Compliance Officer, was scheduled to provide a Taxi Licensing Team update. As of 31 May 2025, the team licensed 860 drivers and 831 vehicles. The team also continues to proactively enforce the Council's policies in relation to taxi licensing.

Licensing Sub-Committee Minutes

The committee was scheduled to review and sign the minutes of the following Licensing Sub Committees:

• Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee
  • 08/04/25 Application for a Premises Licence – 8 Market Place, Box, Corsham
• Western Area Licensing Sub Committee
  • 28.05.25 Application for a Time Limited Premises Licence for Wiltshire Throwback Festival, Melksham Football and Rugby Club, Eastern Way, Melksham

According to the minutes, the Northern Area Licensing Sub Committee resolved to grant the application for a premises licence at 8 Market Place, Box, Corsham. The sub-committee added two advisory comments about the provision of appropriate information for customers using the premise, including to make parking information available on the restaurant's website and to display appropriate signage about considerate behaviour and minimising noise on the building.

According to the minutes, the Western Area Licensing Sub Committee resolved to grant the application for a Time Limited Premises Licence for the Wiltshire Throwback Festival, Melksham Football and Rugby Club, Eastern Way, Melksham, subject to the condition that the event will be run in full accordance with the finalised Event Management Plan.

Licensing Appeals

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on any appeals lodged against Licensing Sub Committee decisions.