by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Fees charged by Dorset Council to taxi drivers are to increase – by around seven per cent.
Several drivers had objected to the increase arguing that, with other costs rising, the extra fee would cut into their incomes.
Dorset Council’s finance portfolio holder Cllr Simon Clifford told the April full council meeting said the last fee increase had been in 2022 with the council not making a profit from it, only seeking to cover its costs.
He said the figures being asked for were way below the actual rate of inflation since the last increase.
For a new vehicle the increased charge will add £10 to the existing £190 annual fee although the Weymouth and Portland area, which has a separate agreement, will see new vehicle fees rise from £240 to £260. Three year licences are available, reducing the average annual cost.
Other fees are charged for taxi plates, safeguard checks and a knowledge test.
The council taxi team, the equivalent of 11 full time staff, deal with more than 6,200 licences during the year; more than 500 applications each month; carrying out 170 visits and 247 inspections in addition to dealing with 11,423 phone calls.
The service is reported to have been running at an average deficit of £30,000 a year – with the new charges expected to bring in a small surplus of £11,000 if they were approved, which would be reinvested in improving services.
