Derby Audit

TAXI firms in Derby are to be refunded thousands of pounds by the city council after it charged them money for things it had no right to do so.

The authority, which has apologised, owes companies in both the hackney carriage and private hire trade a total of £25,300.

The issue came to light after a complaint from Gary Matkin, of Chads Cars, to the district auditor, who investigated the council’s accounts.

Mr Matkin said: “I am very pleased that the council has taken swift action to acknowledge its failings and to correct these errors. Hopefully, it will refund those affected in a similar manner.”

The council accepts that the mistakes happened between February 2008 and this year.

John Tomlinson, director of environment and regulatory services, said the authority incorrectly made charges for transferring vehicle licences mid-term, amending private hire operator licences mid-term and changing vehicle details.

It also asked for the wrong amount of cash for providing some personal information, such as when taxi firms called up to find out how many complaints had been made against them.

Mr Tomlinson said the errors were down to a “misreading of the legislation”.

He added: “We have not yet refunded the money but we will do so. The money will come from the taxi licensing budget.

“We apologise to those licence-holders affected by these errors.”

Meanwhile, from April 1 next year, the council is reducing taxi licence charges.

Mr Tomlinson said this was not related to the errors and added: “The taxi licensing fees and charges are reviewed annually.”

Under the new price system, private hire vehicle licences will cost £91 for a new one or a renewal, down from £107.

And hackney carriage drivers will need to pay £116 for a new licence and £91 for a renewal, down from £132 and £107 respectively.

Any objections to the new fees should be made to the city council in writing by January 20.