The Licensing Committee met to discuss and decide on changes to hackney carriage fares in Denbighshire. Following a consultation, the committee agreed to a modified version of the original proposal, increasing the rate per mile for Tariff 1 and Tariff 3, and authorised officers to prepare a Lead Member Delegated Decision report to implement the changes. The committee also discussed the Licensing Committee's forward work programme for 2025/26.

Hackney Carriage Table of Fares Update

The committee considered a report by the Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services regarding an update to the Hackney Carriage Table of Fares following a consultation period. The report sought a decision on whether to vary the existing table of fares, taking into account representations and objections received during the public consultation.

The current table of fares came into effect on 1 July 2022. A public notice regarding the proposed changes was placed in the local press and displayed at the Council Offices, as well as published on the Council's website, starting on 12 June 2025 and lasting until 10 July 2025.

During the consultation, 21 objections were received, primarily citing insufficient increases in the proposed fare structure. In addition to the objections, a further 24 letters were submitted by licensed taxi drivers expressing support for a fare increase.

The committee considered four options:

• Support the original proposal as put forward prior to public consultation (Appendix A original proposed table of fares).
• Make no changes to the present table of fares (Appendix B- current table of fares).
• Support an alternative proposal, as detailed at Appendix E - proposed table of fares with modification, taking into consideration the representations received at Appendix D represenations received.
• Propose and support an alternative variation.

Ultimately, the committee decided to support a modified version of the original proposal, with adjustments to:

• Tariff 1: Increase from £2.50 per mile to £3.00 per mile
• Tariff 3: Increase from £3.75 per mile to £4.50 per mile

The report author, Nicky Jones, Lead Officer (Licensing), stated that this modification responded directly to concerns raised during the consultation process.

The report included a Well-being Impact Assessment, which considered the likely impact of the proposal on the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Denbighshire, Wales and the world. The assessment concluded that although the proposal is to increase charges, this is likely to positively impact the taxi trade, enabling businesses to invest and keep up with rising costs, and encourage healthy competition. However, it acknowledged that the increased cost for taxi users may disproportionately impact certain groups negatively, including people experiencing poverty and those more likely to rely on public transport, such as older people and disabled people.

The committee was reminded that the table of fares sets the maximum fare that can be charged for a journey, and that proprietors can agree a lower fare with the passenger at their own discretion. The fares only relate to journeys wholly within the County of Denbighshire.

The decision requires a Lead Member Delegated decision to ensure the council meets its constitutional obligations.

Licensing Committee Forward Work Programme 2025/26

The committee considered the Licensing Committee's forward work programme for 2025/26. The programme includes:

• Applications to consider Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicle Driver Licences in December 2025 and March 2026.
• Applications to consider Special Procedures Premises/Practitioners licences in December 2025 and March 2026.
• Review of Hackney Carriage Table of Fares in March 2026.

The committee approved the forward work programme.