Proposed Changes to Taxi and Private Hire Licence Fees
Rutland County Council has announced proposed changes to taxi and private hire licence fees that will take effect from 1 April 2025. This announcement, made on 31 October 2024, is in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. The Council is inviting objections to these fee changes until 27 November 2024, ensuring that community input is considered before the final fees are established.
| Application Type | Current Fee | Proposed Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Hackney Carriage Driver | ||
| 3 Year Licence - New | £176.00 | £133.00 |
| 3 Year Licence - Renewal | £111.00 | £133.00 |
| Private Hire Driver | ||
| 3 Year Licence - New | £143.00 | £133.00 |
| 3 Year Licence - Renewal | £111.00 | £133.00 |
| Convert Private Hire Drivers Licence to Hackney Carriage Licence | £44.00 | £53.00 |
| Hackney Carriage Vehicle | ||
| 1 Year Licence - New / Renewal | £182.00 | £218.00 |
| Private Hire Vehicle | ||
| 1 Year Licence - New / Renewal | £182.00 | £218.00 |
| Private Hire Operator - 5 Year Licence | ||
| 1 to 5 Vehicles - New / Renewal | £385.00 | £462.00 |
| 6 to 10 Vehicles - New / Renewal | £385.00 | £555.00 |
| 11 to 30 Vehicles - New / Renewal | £385.00 | £668.00 |
| 31 to 50 Vehicles - New / Renewal | £385.00 | £802.00 |
| 50 + Vehicles - New / Renewal | £385.00 | £970.00 |
Rationale for Fee Adjustments
The proposed fees are designed to recover the costs of providing taxi licensing services, ensuring that the Council does not profit from these fees. Any surplus or deficit incurred must be addressed in future reviews. The Council, in partnership with Peterborough City Council, has identified a funding gap that necessitates these fee changes to maintain service quality and efficiency.
The Council's licensing function operates under a shared service agreement with Peterborough City Council, which enhances service delivery and reduces costs. However, a recent review revealed that the initial agreement did not adequately account for all overheads, resulting in the need for increased fees to cover the actual costs of service provision.
Demand for Licensing Services
There has been a significant increase in the number of taxi and private hire applications, leading to delays in processing. To accommodate this rising demand, the workforce has expanded from 2.1 full-time employees (FTEs) to 3.1 FTEs. This change is essential to ensure timely and effective service delivery, but it requires that the updated licence fees reflect the true cost of operations.
The Council emphasizes that licensing activities should be funded by those who benefit from them, rather than relying on taxpayers. The new fees will allow Rutland County Council to adequately resource the taxi licensing service, promoting growth while safeguarding public interest. Regular reviews of these fees will be conducted to ensure they remain fair and proportional to the services provided.
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