Technical Notes 2025, Issue 98 - Taxi Fare Review Public Consultation
Report by:
Karen M Donnelly, Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer
TN Number:
098-25
Subject:
Taxi Fare Review Public Consultation
Responsible Officer:
Karen M Donnelly, Chief Solicitor & Monitoring Officer
Publication:
This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.
The purpose of this Technical Note is to update Members regarding the recent public consultation exercise carried out in relation to the latest Taxi Fare review
The outcome of the consultation was considered at the meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee held on 22nd May 2025 During that meeting, Members commented on the relatively low engagement. In response, officers undertook to provide a Technical Note detailing how the consultation was carried out
The Communication Plan is set out in Appendix 1 to this this Technical Note. Members will see that in addition to adverts placed in local print media (as is required by statute), details of the proposed fare increase, and consultation were published on the Council’s website and regularly via its social media channels. There was also a wider media release which aimed to raise awareness among those who may not be online
Appendix 2 to this Technical Note is the Consultation Engagement Report produced by colleagues in Corporate Comms following completion of the consultation period. This report sets out details of coverage which included local media and trade publications. It also details online and social media engagement
In addition to the public engagement activity, information was also issued directly to the taxi and private hire trade, both formally and informally. There were occasions where officers were discussing other matters with licence holders and the taxi fare review was raised. In these instances, officers took the opportunity to highlight the consultation and encourage licence holders to respond
Members will see that there was strong engagement with the consultation online in terms of both comments and debate. In particular, over 300 click throughs to the consultation webpage were generated from social media posts alone which demonstrates there was awareness and interest in the issue. However, this did not translate to the submission of formal responses
The process for carrying out a Fare Review is prescribed by the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1984 and it is fair to say that it is not particularly modern. Officers have tried to overcome this through the use of social media etc
A comprehensive review of the entire fare structure will be commencing shortly and the outcome of this will require to be the subject of public consultation in the future. Officers will liaise with colleagues in Corporate Comms at that time with a view to identifying any new/additional means of engagement with a view to increasing public participation.
