The General Purposes and Licensing Committee convened to discuss and decide on proposed fee increases for taxi and private hire licensing. The meeting featured robust debate, with public representations from taxi operators concerned about the impact of fee increases on their businesses and the broader taxi service availability, especially for disabled users.

Decision: Approval of Licensing Fee Increases The committee approved increases in licensing fees for taxis and private hire vehicles. Arguments for the increase cited the need to cover rising operational costs since the last fee update in 2017. Opponents, including taxi operators, argued that the increases could burden drivers and reduce the availability of services, particularly impacting disabled and elderly community members who rely on taxis. The decision implies that taxi operators will need to absorb or pass these increased costs onto consumers, potentially affecting service affordability and availability.

Additional Information: The meeting highlighted concerns about the transparency and justification of the fee increases, with calls for more detailed financial breakdowns to ensure that the new fees strictly cover operational costs without generating profit. There was also discussion about the frequency of reviewing and adjusting taxi meter rates, suggesting a need for more regular evaluations to align with inflation and cost of living changes. The robust questioning from council members reflected a strong demand for accountability and clarity in council financial decisions.