To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors PL Bettington and Brig. P Jones CBE.

To receive details any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

In accordance with paragraph 4.1.23 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillors RB Hamilton and KS Guthrie attended the meeting as substitute members for Councillors PL Bettington and Brig. P Jones CBE.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27th April, 2012 and 8th May 2012.

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meetings held on 27 April 2012 and 8 May 2012 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To give further consideration to the views and objections from the trade in relation to the proposed increases in fees and charges.

A report was presented by the Acting Head of Environmental Protection and Licensing about objections which had been received from the trade to the proposed increase in hackney carriage/private hire licence fees and charges for 2012/2013.  He explained that the increases were aimed at moving towards full cost recovery so that the service was no longer subsidised. This was in line with a resolution previously made by Cabinet regarding all services provided by the Council.

Prior to the report being considered the Acting Principal Lawyer advised Members that the matter had been discussed and agreed in principle at the meeting of the Regulatory Committee on Tuesday 27 April subject to further consultation with the trade and a review of the proposed figures. This had now been completed with two further meetings held with the trade and a detailed examination of the proposed figures being undertaken by the Council’s senior accountant.

He went on to advise attendees at the meeting as to how the meeting would be conducted in accordance with paragraph 3.6.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution. He added that the Constitution did not make provision for public speaking at the Regulatory Committee but that the Chairman had agreed to allow representations to be made by the trade. These representations would be limited to 10 minutes. A request for 20 minutes speaking time was refused although the Chairman indicated he would be happy for the nominated speaker to speak for in excess of 10 minutes.

The Acting Head of Environmental Protection and Licensing outlined the report and highlighted the progress which had been made since the previous meeting. He advised the Committee that alternative options 1 and 2 as outlined in the report should be disregarded as this was incorrect, as the decision had already been made to adopt full cost recovery at the previous meeting in April. He added that the issue of the cost of a marshalling scheme was still a concern to the trade and reminded members that this decision had not yet been made although he recommended that these extra costs should not be adopted at the present time. He also added that agreement had now been gained in respect of taxi drivers who also held County Transport Badges, with a new taxi policy going to cabinet on 12 July proposing that they would no longer have to apply separately for the two licences. He gave details of the two meetings which had been held between the trade, council officers and elected members since the previous meeting of the regulatory committee on 27 April 2012. In summing up he advised that the proposed figures predicted a 97.5% cost recovery which should ensure that the council would not make a profit and that this would move to full cost recovery within a 12 month period. He added the caveat that that this was a prediction based on projected incomes and expenditure in arrears.

In response to a question regarding the reduction of income to the licensing department between  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.