Telford taxi drivers prepare to fight rise in fees

Taxi drivers in Telford are planning to call in auditors after it was revealed licence fees look set to increase – just 18 months after a similar rise.

Licensing chiefs at Telford & Wrekin Council have recommended a rise in fees which will see driver's pay an extra £15 for a six month licence, from £90 to £105, or an extra £22 for a 12 month licence, rising from £148 to £170.

But if the changes do go ahead one consultant acting on behalf of taxi firms in the town has pledged to call in the Audit Commission to look through the authority's accounts as part of a legal challenge.

The council's licensing committee will meet on Wednesday when the hike is expected to be approved.

Last year's rise in fees saw hundreds of drivers move their contracts from Telford & Wrekin Council to Shropshire Council, who charged less for a licence.

David Wilson, a consultant representing private hire operators County Cars, Diamond Cars and Ultimate Taxis, said: "By law a council may not intentionally charge more than the costs of undertaking certain aspects of taxi licensing.

"If Telford & Wrekin Council proceed to set the fees as recommended, my clients intend to challenge the lawfulness of those charges by asking the Audit Commission to direct an auditor to conduct an extraordinary audit of the council's accounts."

Abid Tawasin, secretary of Telford Hackney Carriage Association, said: "We have to pay because the others have gone to Shropshire. But those drivers are still coming to Telford to take fares and nothing is being done about it."

Councillor Clive Mason, chairman of Telford & Wrekin's licensing committee added a review of council processes later this year could mean a reduction in costs, which he said would be passed on to drivers.

If approved, the increase will come into force on August 1.