Bolsover Council Plans Significant Taxi License Fee Increases in 2025

A Derbyshire taxi driver has publicly criticized the proposed increase in licensing fees for cab drivers, set to take effect in January 2025. Drivers registered with the Bolsover District Council were surprised when they received an email on December 19, 2024, detailing a significant rise in license fees, prompting concerns about the financial burden these increases will place on local taxi drivers.

Details of the Proposed Fee Increases

The fee increase, set to take effect on January 20, 2025, will see the following changes:

• The annual license fee will increase from £150 to £194.
• The two-year license fee will rise from £165 to £265.
• The three-year license fee will jump from £184 to £311.

These hikes come on the heels of mandatory CCTV installation in taxis, introduced by the council in 2022/23 at an additional cost of £500 to £600 per vehicle. While the council defends these increases as necessary, taxi drivers, particularly in Bolsover, argue that the rising costs are becoming unmanageable and could drive drivers away from the area.

Taxi Drivers' Concerns Over Rising Costs

Mark Bedford, a taxi driver with an airport transfer business in Bolsover, expressed his frustration with the proposed fee hike. He referred to the increases as a “massive jump”, noting that the introduction of the CCTV policy had already placed a significant financial strain on drivers. Bedford pointed out that while Bolsover drivers face both the CCTV mandate and the license fee increase, other areas, like Chesterfield Borough, have no such CCTV requirement and continue to operate under lower fees.

Bedford also highlighted the lack of Bolsover-plated taxis operating regularly in the area, a situation that the fee hikes could exacerbate. He argued that the council's approach could discourage new drivers from obtaining a Bolsover badge and may prompt existing drivers to seek licenses in nearby areas with lower costs, such as Chesterfield.

The Council’s Justification for the Fee Increases

A spokesperson for Bolsover District Council provided a defense of the proposed changes, stating that fees have remained unchanged since 2018, meaning that drivers have benefited from a six-year period without any fee increases. The spokesperson also explained that the mandatory CCTV policy, which was introduced in 2022/23, did not result in any fee hikes at that time, despite the added costs to drivers.

The council emphasized that without the fee increase, it would be forced to cover the additional costs itself, ultimately burdening local taxpayers. The increase, they said, is required to maintain the same level of service, and that the council does not profit from the raised fees, but ensures that the service remains financially sustainable and breaks even.

Objection Process and Timing Concerns

The council has set a deadline for objections to the new fees, requiring them to be submitted by January 16, 2025. However, the fee increases are set to come into effect just a few days later, on January 20, which some drivers believe gives them insufficient time to express their concerns and possibly have the changes reconsidered.

This short window for objections has added to the sense of frustration among drivers, as many feel the council is rushing the process without allowing ample time for discussion or negotiation.

Comments and Reactions from Taxi Drivers

Mark Bedford and other drivers have voiced concerns that the Bolsover District Council's approach is unfair, especially when compared to neighboring areas like Chesterfield, where taxi operators do not face the same challenges. Bedford noted that some drivers are already making the decision to swap Bolsover badges for Chesterfield badges to avoid the added costs, including the mandatory CCTV.

The situation has led to growing discontent among Derbyshire taxi drivers, who fear that the council’s actions may lead to fewer taxis operating in Bolsover, reducing service availability for local residents.

Council's Commitment to Consultation Process

The Bolsover District Council spokesperson assured that the council is following the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, which outlines the process for consulting on licensing fee changes. According to the council, the increases will only be implemented if no objections are received by the deadline of January 16, after which the Licensing Committee will review any objections and make the final decision on the new fee structure.

The council's representative reiterated that the fee increases were necessary to cover the costs of maintaining the licensing service and that the fees were designed to break even, ensuring no profit for the council, while still providing the required service.