Apologies for absence were received from Councillor B Wright.

There were no declarations of interest given at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2025 were confirmed as a true record.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Licensing & Elections Manager.

The Licensing & Elections Manager reported that  Local authorities have the ability to set/vary fares for hackney carriages under section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.   A request has been received from three licensed operators to increase the existing fare for the Horse Drawn Hackney Carriages.

The Licensing & Elections Manager reported that the current fare for a landau ride is £10.00 from the Landau Station, Marine Parade to the Pleasure Beach and a return journey is £20.00 per vehicle.  Each landau is licensed for 6 passengers and the fare charged is per landau.   The proposal as attached in appendix 1, requests a minimum charge of £20.00 for any carriage ride. The reason for this request is due to an increase in costs for horse feed, insurance, blacksmiths and vets. Landau fares were last increased in 2021 when the return journey was amended from £15 to £20.  This proposal has been sent to all six licensed plateholders for their comments.  No further comments were received. If Committee approves in principle the fare increase, the new fares will have to be formally advertised in the local press to allow for an objection period of 14 days.  If no objections are received, the fares will come into effect after the expiry of the objection period. If objections are made and not withdrawn, the district council shall set a further date, not later than two months after the first specified date, on which the fares shall come into force with or without modifications as decided by them after consideration of the objections.

Councillor Waters-Bunn asked for clarification, was she correct in thinking that the proposal was £20 for a round trip from the landeau station to the Pleasure Beach and back or £20 either way. The Head of Service responded that this was correct.

Councillor Jeal reported that he understood the need for a fare increase due to the increasing costs of feed and the farrier. However, he was concerned that some of the landeau owners did not ensure that their horses wore nappies and the smell of horse manure along the seafront was pungent and unacceptable to patrons of the seafront cafes who were sitting outside enjoying their food and beverages. The Nelson Ward Councillors regularly contacted officers to ask them to enforce the nappy-wearing rule.

Kelly Murkin, Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Driver, addressed the Committee at the request of the Chair, and informed the Committee that she and her partner, Mr Benjafield, did not submit a letter of representation in favour of the price increase as they were against it. They felt that £20 for a one-way fare to or from the Pleasure Beach was too much as this equated to a £40 round-trip which would deter customers from using their services. They felt that the £20 return fare was a fair tariff.

Councillor Jeal reported that after hearing from Ms Murkin that he was happy to keep the fare at £20 for a round trip and was happy to propose this motion. Councillor Jeal was concerned how this could be policed and any associated publicity material would need to be worded carefully. This motion was seconded by Councillor Bird.

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M  Danny Docwra, Horse Drawn Hackney Carriage Driver, addressed the Committee at the request of the Chair and reported why he felt that the fare increase was justified and if customers could not afford to take a landeau they could take the land train as an alternative form of transport.

     Councillor Dwyer-McCluskey reported that he supported the application for a price increase, but he thought that a potential £40 round trip if the journey was broken was unaffordable and he wondered whether a return ticket system could be the answer.

     Councillor Thompson asked if the majority of fares were one-way or return. Mr Docwra reported that they were there and back from the landeau station.

     The Chair reported that this problem could be solved with correct signage. The Chair asked whether customers are issued with a ticket. My Docwra responded that tickets were not issued but he confirmed that 4 to 6 persons could ride for a £20 fare.

Councillor Newcombe asked if the drivers worked together or independently. She also asked whether the current £20 fare was both cost -effective and allowed drivers to make a small profit.

Mr Docwra advised that the drivers preferred a return fare as there were no facilities for the horses or drivers at the Pleasure Beach.

Councillor Upton proposed a compromise fare of £15 each way or £20 return. Mr Dowcra reported that this would not be acceptable and that the £20 fare one-way or return was what the drivers required.

Councillor Galer reported that if a taxi was booked from Great Yarmouth to Norwich the taxi would return without passengers, and this was built into the fare.

Ms Murkin reported that a return system would not work as all the drivers worked independently and the horses were only allowed so many journeys a day.

Councillor Jeal asked that his motion be voted on and that, in his mind, the landeau drivers needed to present a united front to the committee when asking for a future fare increase.

Following a vote, it was RESOLVED:-

That the request be refused.

The Head of Service informed Committee that the Licensing Policy had to be reviewed every 5 years and the current policy needs reviewing before 6 January 2026. A public consultation would be held over the summer months and a draft policy would be sent to the committee for their comments. The final draft would come to committee in November 2025, prior to approval by Council in December 2025.