Response 3951100

Response to request for information

Reference

3951100

Response date

27 March 2026

Request

1. Recharges. A detailed budget is required to enable drivers and operators to understand where their money is being spent. Specifically, the Other Expenses & Recharge lines need to be itemised and also information regarding how many licences of each of the 3 types were issued in each year including numbers of how many 6 month and 12 month vehicle licences were issued.
2. A commentary by the council's Finance dept to explain year to year large variances would be most helpful. For example, why did operators licence income vary so wildly between the 3 years, why did the cost of badges and plates double between 2022 and 2023.
3. When will the 2025 figures be available?

Response

1. Recharges. These relate to an apportionment of staff time and overheads in relation to time spent on taxi licencing (Administration of the service and advice, enforcement costs where applicable). Other expenses relates to stationary items provided to drivers such as PVC ID cards and associated printing costs, legal fees due to licencing challenges, statutory advertising and training. The numbers of licences issues is provided below, please note that these are based on calendar years whereas the financial  information previously provided is based on financial years.

2. Cost of plates increased due to manufacturers passing on increased costs as well as an increase in numbers of driver applications. With regards to operator fee income variability is likely down to the fact that licences are multi-year and not annual and are incremental on the size of the operator. The overall income will also increase if a new operator comes to RBC. We accept 1-5 years operator licence.
3. The 2025/26 figures will be available later in the year once they have been audited.