Taxi licences bid in Telford fee row
More than 500 private hire drivers across Telford & Wrekin are planning to take advantage of a legal loophole to avoid a rise in licence fees. More than 500 private hire drivers across Telford & Wrekin are planning to take advantage of a legal loophole to avoid a rise in licence fees. The drivers are planning to give back their licences to Telford & Wrekin Council and instead apply for hackney carriage licences from Shropshire Council as the fees are lower. David Edwards, head of county public protection at Shropshire Council, said a hackney carriage licensed by Shropshire Council was able to undertake booked appointments anywhere in the country. Councillor Miles Hosken, cabinet member for community protection and cohesion at Telford & Wrekin, said there was case law that enabled private hire operators to apply for licences wherever they chose. Telford & Wrekin Council's decision would see the operator's annual licence fee rise from £462 to £2,495. More in today's paper
More than 500 private hire drivers across Telford & Wrekin are planning to take advantage of a legal loophole to avoid a rise in licence fees.
The drivers are planning to give back their licences to Telford & Wrekin Council and instead apply for hackney carriage licences from Shropshire Council as the fees are lower.
David Edwards, head of county public protection at Shropshire Council, said a hackney carriage licensed by Shropshire Council was able to undertake booked appointments anywhere in the country.
Councillor Miles Hosken, cabinet member for community protection and cohesion at Telford & Wrekin, said there was case law that enabled private hire operators to apply for licences wherever they chose.
Telford & Wrekin Council's decision would see the operator's annual licence fee rise from £462 to £2,495.
Mohammed Zaman, chairman of Telford Private Hire Drivers' Association, said: "The majority, if not all, of the private hire trade licensed by Telford & Wrekin Council have decided to become licensed in the hackney carriage trade with Shropshire Council.
"Unlike Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire Council has clearly shown us that they are committed to providing the trade with an excellent customer service."
It was revealed during a meeting of the council's licensing committee in December that council tax payers were paying more than £40,000 annually to subsidise the cost of operating private hire vehicles in the borough. The council had said its aim was to reduce that burden.
Currently a private hire driver's licence for 12 months costs £125, but this would rise to £170.
A 12-month licence with Shropshire Council costs £80, but that amount is currently under review.
Nigel Horler, chairman of Telford Private Hire Operators' Association, said: "It's a great shame that it's come to this, but as a trade, we all work very hard to provide the very best service to our customers."
Councillor Hosken added: "It is a matter for them which authority they apply to and a matter for the authority that receives the application as to whether it is granted."
By Jason Lavan