Taxi licence fee rise sparks concern from Barnsley drivershttps://www.thestar.co.uk/news/politics ... rs-6026628Taxi drivers in Barnsley have raised concerns over proposed increases to licensing fees, as councillors prepare to make a final decision later this month.
A report due to go before the council’s licensing regulatory board on March 25 sets out plans to increase hackney carriage and private hire licence fees for 2026/27, following a public consultation.
The proposed changes would see a one-year driver licence rise from £150 to £165, while a three-year licence would increase from £240 to £264. Vehicle licences would go up from £180 to £198, and operator licences would also see increases.
Council officers say the changes are needed to reflect the true cost of running the licensing service, including staff time, compliance checks and administrative support.
The report states that fees are calculated based on “the time taken to conduct relevant procedures and formalities” and must be set at a level that recovers costs without generating profit.
However, six drivers objected to the increases during the statutory 28-day consultation period.
One driver said they did not feel they were getting value for money, claiming it was “really hard” to contact the licensing office and that it was “never staffed”.
They added: “The only time we see anyone is when you run a safety seminar in the town hall, which is just a routine obligation which achieves very little.”
Another respondent called for a fairer system for operator licences, arguing that fees should reflect the number of vehicles a business runs.
They said: “It is totally illogical that myself operating two vehicles is paying the same as a company operating with 150 plus vehicles,” adding that nearby authorities use a sliding scale.
Concerns were also raised about the financial pressure already facing drivers.
One said that after covering costs such as fuel, insurance and commission fees, they were earning as little as £8.16 an hour.
“Haven’t we got enough to pay out without the licensing fees increasing again?” they said.
Another added: “Everything has gone so expensive such as insurance [and] fuel… it’s already hard as it is.”
Despite the objections, the council says it must ensure the licensing regime is properly funded, warning that failing to recover costs could place the burden on taxpayers.
The report also notes that enforcement costs against drivers cannot legally be included in the fees and must instead be met by the council.
A total of six responses were received during the consultation, all of which will be considered by councillors before a final decision is made.
If approved, the new fees could come into force later this year following further statutory processes.
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