Decision details

The Council currently regulates the number of taxi licences in the city of Bath.  Because of this the Council is under a duty to carry out a review of Unmet Demand from time to time.  This report asks the Cabinet to consider the findings of the latest survey and to decide on future policy.

(1) To AGREE that the Council continues with the policy of regulating the number of hackney carriage vehicle licences in zone 1 (Bath) and continues with the limitation of hackney carriage vehicle licences in zone 1 (Bath) to 122; and

(2) To ASK the Strategic Director (Place) to conduct a further survey into the unmet demand in zone 1 (Bath) in 2014.

Government has recommended to local licensing authorities that a restriction on numbers should only be applied where there is a demonstrable benefit to the consumer and that it would not be in the interest of consumers for market entry to be refused to anyone who meets the application criteria.  The 2011 study has identified, “on balance, it is not considered this potential unmet demand is substantial enough on its own to warrant a recommendation for additional Hackneys to be licensed”.

(a) Partially delimit

Case law shows that it would be feasible to issue batches of licences at a time which would allow a Council to assess the impact of each tranche and decide when there is significant unmet demand.  This option has been rejected as such assessments would require additional budgetary provision and may result in periods of uncertainty within the trade and elsewhere.

(b) Delimit altogether

This option has been rejected as there is no evidence of unmet demand within zone 1 (Bath) and the removal of the current limitation policy could result in a legal challenge from the existing vehicle licence holders.