Kirklees Council scales back taxi licence fee rises following protests

Jun 24 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CABBIES have forced Kirklees into a U-turn.

The council had planned to increase taxi licence fees by 62%.

But yesterday the Cabinet decided on a more modest rise of 28% after protests by taxi drivers, including a large demonstration at Huddersfield Town Hall.

In April, the Cabinet announced plans to increase taxi driver’s annual renewal from £37 to £60. But yesterday the ruling Labour / Lib Dem coalition decided to set a new rate of £47.50.

Increases for operator’s licences have also been drastically scaled back. For firms with more than three cars, Kirklees initially proposed increasing the annual fee from £53 to £380. However, the Cabinet yesterday settled for £190.

In April, a report drawn up by council officers justified the large rises by saying Kirklees charged less than other councils in West Yorkshire.

However, Clr Christine Stanfield denied yesterday that this had played any part in the final decision.

The Cabinet member for regeneration said: “We have no intention to put up fees to be near other authorities.”

But the Lindley Lib Dem added that an increase in licence fees was necessary so the council could finance taxi enforcement. Clr Stanfield said: “The service has to pay for itself.”

The initial increase plans had been met with widespread anger when they were announced in April.

Taxi drivers threatened to strike over a Bank Holiday weekend in May against the plans. However, the cabbies backed down and held a protest instead.

On May 6, more than 100 cabbies drove from Bradley Bar to Huddersfield Town Hall. They then drove slowly round the town hall, causing tailbacks for other motorists.

The drivers had intended to park on Ramsden Street and Corporation Street, but were told to move on by police following angry exchanges. After parking elsewhere in the town centre, the drivers returned on foot to hand in petitions.

Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan said yesterday that April’s proposed rises were never set in stone.

He said: “In April, Cabinet approved a set of new fees for consultation with the trade. They were only proposed increases.”

Clr Khan added: “It’s not for us to aspire to a West Yorkshire average, but we need to be aware other councils’ licence fees are higher than our own.”

Cabinet also agreed yesterday to continue to help fund 68 police community support officers across Kirklees. The council will contribute £1.8m over the next three years.