The licensing committee convened to discuss and decide on the proposed fees and charges for the licensing of Hackney Carriages, Private Hire, and Private Hire Operators for 2024-25. The meeting also addressed concerns from the taxi trade regarding various operational and policy issues.

Decision on Licensing Fees: The committee decided to approve the proposed fees for taxi and private hire licensing. The trade had expressed concerns about the impact of these fees and the lack of corresponding fare increases. The decision was made with a commitment to review the licensing policy and fare tariffs in the upcoming summer, acknowledging the need for adjustments due to staffing challenges and operational feedback from the trade. This decision ensures that the council covers its costs without making a profit, as mandated by government guidelines, while also planning to address the trade's concerns in a timely manner.

Additional Observations: The meeting highlighted ongoing staffing issues within the licensing team, which had delayed policy reviews and responses to trade concerns. The imminent return to full staffing was noted as positive news, promising more timely action on pending reviews and better support for the taxi trade moving forward. The discussion also touched on operational issues like taxi rank signage and vehicle age limits, with plans to address these in future policy reviews.