Hike in taxi licensing fees in Telford approved

Two councillors voted against as a committee decided to impose Telford & Wrekin Council's first increase in a raft of licensing fees in two years.

Conservative group deputy leader Rachael Tyrrell opposed an increase in fees paid by taxi drivers while Labour councillor Stephen Handley had concerns about one-day licence costs payable by street traders including burger van operator.s.

Private hire drivers and Hackney carriage operators had objected to hikes in fees, but no members of the public attended Wednesday's meeting of the council’s regulatory committee (November 11).

Councillor Tyrrell (Priorslee) said the amount raised from taxi fees and charges is a "drop in the ocean" compared to a public expectation over regulating the trade.

But she claimed an increase in fees "gives an impression" that taxi drivers can get services "easier and cheaper" in other council areas.

"If work goes to other councils we lose control," she added.

"I would prefer to keep those fees where they are."

A report to the committee proposed, among other measures, increasing the fees for new driver applications from £172 to £200, and driver renewal applications from £145 to £160. Companies with more than 50 private hire vehicles face an increase from £950 to £1,020 in licence renewal fees.

All but one of the taxi increases will come into effect in April 2027 but a new £40 fee to cover vehicle compliance inspections comes into effect immediately.

Councillor Handley (St George's) had concerns over a proposed £28 increase in the amount street traders have to pay for a one-day licence.

It is set to rise from £132 to £160 and councillor Handley said he has "always objected".

"It has increased from £60 to £80 to £132 and now £160,” he said.

He claimed that a burger van would not be able to make a profit if the operator had to pay £160 for three hours of trading.

He asked for an hourly rate to be charged instead. Officials said they would "note that and take it away”.

Other councillors pointed out that "umbrella" consents are available for more than one trader.

Fees for up to five traders are set to rise next year from £290 to £310 while events involving more than 30 traders face an increase from £420 to £450.

Councillors were told that there had been no increase in fees for two years.

The committee was told the service has to cover "reasonable and legitimate costs" but "not to make a profit”.

Councillor Giles Luter (Labour, Ercall) said two years without an increase was "a reasonable amount of time to give people breathing space”.

"We have got to ensure we are not subsidising with public money."

Councillors approved the increases by four votes to two.