Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
54
Wards:
18
Committees:
23
Meetings (2026):
68
Meetings (2025):
75
Meeting
Licensing Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 7th July 2026
6:30 PM
Tuesday, 7th July 2026
6:30 PM
End:
Tuesday, 7th July 2026
9:30 PM
Tuesday, 7th July 2026
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
07 Jul 2026
07 Jul 2026
Location:
Council Chamber - Deanes
Council Chamber - Deanes
Webcast:
Available
Available
Meeting Attendees
Chair
Chair of the Licensing Committee
Committee Member
Chair of the Human Resources Committee
Vice-Chair
Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee
Committee Member
Leader of the Conservative Group
Reserve
Chair of the Resident Services & Vice-Chair of Development Control Committee
Reserve
Vice-Chair of the Resident Services Committee
Committee Member
Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Reserve
Chair of the Investigating and Disciplinary and Standards Appeals Committee and Vice Chair of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor J Perry.
Councillor J Slimin substituted for Councillor A Bowes.
Apologies were received from the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing: Councillor Laura James.
Councillor J Slimin substituted for Councillor A Bowes.
Apologies were received from the Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Housing: Councillor Laura James.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
3
Urgent matters
To consider any items of business, other than those shown on this agenda and which, by reason of special circumstances to be stated at the meeting, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.
Minutes
There were no urgent matters.
4
Minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2026
The Chair will move that the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record. The only part of the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2026 29 Jun 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2026 were confirmed by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
5
Approval of the New Hackney Carriage Tariff for Consultation
Contact Officer: Emma Coles
The purpose of this report is to seek approval to consult on the proposed Hackney Carriage fare increase, in line with statutory requirements.
The purpose of this report is to seek approval to consult on the proposed Hackney Carriage fare increase, in line with statutory requirements.
Attachments:
- Document Report 29 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 1 29 Jun 2026
- Document Appendix 2 29 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Licensing Team Leader introduced the report, which sought the Committees approval to undertake a public consultation for 14 days on the proposed Hackney Carriage Fare tariff increase of £0.30 at the initial fare (“the drop”) as requested by representatives of the Hackney Carriage trade.
The Licensing Team Leader detailed the responsibilities of the Council for setting Hackney Carriage Fares and explained financial pressures on the trade which had arisen from rising fuel, insurance and maintenance costs.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
It was clarified that Cabinet were the final decision makers to approve the proposed fare increase and the proposal followed the same statutory process used for the last fare increase implemented by Cabinet in January 2025.
Several comments sought clarification on when a wider review of Hackney Carriage fares could be undertaken. The Licensing Team Leader advised that this could be considered as part of Local Government Reorganisation.
Expressed concern that the proposed £0.30 increase to the initial fare would disproportionately impact shorter journeys, particularly for disabled and elderly residents and that alternative tariff options should be considered.
Suggested that changes to fares could have a greater impact on residents in rural wards in the borough.
The Licensing Team Leader stated that the Committee did not have the authority to amend the trade’s proposals but that amendments could be made after the end of the consultation period.
Referred to the Hackney Carriage Fares table in the report and stated that the borough’s Hackney Carriage fares were already comparatively high when benchmarked nationally and questioned whether a further increase was justified.
Raised concern on above inflation 7% increase to the fares on residents and expressed importance to support residents with the cost-of-living challenges.
In response to a question, the Licensing Team Leader confirmed that engagement had taken place with disability groups and forums.
Interest was expressed in reviewing the Equality Impact Assessment for the proposal. The Licensing Team Leader stated that it could be circulated to councillors.
Suggested that additional evidence on journey patterns, trip lengths, usage at different times of day and alternative fare structures would help councillors better understand the potential impacts of the proposal and assess whether the proposed £0.30 increase was proportionate for residents.
A proposal was made to recommend to Cabinet that the proposed fare increase should not be put out to consultation. The proposal was later withdrawn.
The Licensing Team Leader advised that any consultation feedback received could be shared with members of the Licensing Committee and confirmed that there was sufficient time to undertake further engagement with the Hackney Carriage trade before the report was presented to Cabinet in September.
It was proposed that further engagement be undertaken with the Hackney Carriage trade to better understand the justification for the proposed £0.30 increase to the initial fare. The motion was proposed by Councillor J Tustain and seconded by Councillor J Ganesh. The motion was carried.
Resolved: The Committee:
Considers the proposed Hackney Carriage Fare Table and agree that the proposed Hackney Carriage Fare Table is put out to public consultation for a minimum period of 14 days and that the consultation be undertaken in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Note the Hackney Carriage fare table will be referred to Cabinet for approval following consultation. Requests further engagement with the Hackney Carriage trade regarding the proposed Hackney Carriage fare increase of £0.30 to the initial fee.
The Licensing Team Leader detailed the responsibilities of the Council for setting Hackney Carriage Fares and explained financial pressures on the trade which had arisen from rising fuel, insurance and maintenance costs.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
It was clarified that Cabinet were the final decision makers to approve the proposed fare increase and the proposal followed the same statutory process used for the last fare increase implemented by Cabinet in January 2025.
Several comments sought clarification on when a wider review of Hackney Carriage fares could be undertaken. The Licensing Team Leader advised that this could be considered as part of Local Government Reorganisation.
Expressed concern that the proposed £0.30 increase to the initial fare would disproportionately impact shorter journeys, particularly for disabled and elderly residents and that alternative tariff options should be considered.
Suggested that changes to fares could have a greater impact on residents in rural wards in the borough.
The Licensing Team Leader stated that the Committee did not have the authority to amend the trade’s proposals but that amendments could be made after the end of the consultation period.
Referred to the Hackney Carriage Fares table in the report and stated that the borough’s Hackney Carriage fares were already comparatively high when benchmarked nationally and questioned whether a further increase was justified.
Raised concern on above inflation 7% increase to the fares on residents and expressed importance to support residents with the cost-of-living challenges.
In response to a question, the Licensing Team Leader confirmed that engagement had taken place with disability groups and forums.
Interest was expressed in reviewing the Equality Impact Assessment for the proposal. The Licensing Team Leader stated that it could be circulated to councillors.
Suggested that additional evidence on journey patterns, trip lengths, usage at different times of day and alternative fare structures would help councillors better understand the potential impacts of the proposal and assess whether the proposed £0.30 increase was proportionate for residents.
A proposal was made to recommend to Cabinet that the proposed fare increase should not be put out to consultation. The proposal was later withdrawn.
The Licensing Team Leader advised that any consultation feedback received could be shared with members of the Licensing Committee and confirmed that there was sufficient time to undertake further engagement with the Hackney Carriage trade before the report was presented to Cabinet in September.
It was proposed that further engagement be undertaken with the Hackney Carriage trade to better understand the justification for the proposed £0.30 increase to the initial fare. The motion was proposed by Councillor J Tustain and seconded by Councillor J Ganesh. The motion was carried.
Resolved: The Committee:
Considers the proposed Hackney Carriage Fare Table and agree that the proposed Hackney Carriage Fare Table is put out to public consultation for a minimum period of 14 days and that the consultation be undertaken in accordance with Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976. Note the Hackney Carriage fare table will be referred to Cabinet for approval following consultation. Requests further engagement with the Hackney Carriage trade regarding the proposed Hackney Carriage fare increase of £0.30 to the initial fee.
6
Review of work programme
The Committee is asked to note and review its Work Programme.
Attachments:
- Document Work Programme 29 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Licensing Team Leader confirmed that there were no new updates to the work programme to inform the Committee of after the previous meeting.
The Chair reminded councillors of the requirement to complete Licensing Committee training if they had not already done so.
The Chair reminded councillors of the requirement to complete Licensing Committee training if they had not already done so.
Previous Meetings
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