TAXI and private hire car drivers across West Dunbartonshire are paying a 4 per cent increase in their licensing fees.

The April 1 change was made following a full council meeting in February where a motion was agreed to request a report from officers on the cost of the taxi badge and plate and how these compare to other local authorities across Scotland.

It was anticipated that the council will see a £9,064 gain following the increase in fees.

During last month’s budget meeting it was pointed out that eligible holders of a taxi/private hire car driver’s licence who meet the Scottish Government criteria have been able to apply for a Taxi Fund Grant of £1,500.

All licence holders who are self-employed have also been able to apply for additional financial support using the UK Government’s various self-employment schemes.

Despite this, Labour councillor Martin Rooney raised some questions regarding the fees, which seem substantially higher than neighbours Glasgow City Council.

A document presented to councillors demonstrates that the taxi licence renewal fee in West Dunbartonshire is £638.50 for three years compared to £402 for drivers in Glasgow.

Cllr Rooney said: “I just wonder why we get some discrepancy between the rates that are charged [in each local authority] particularly if we all have to follow a very similar process.

“How do we end up with such differences between the areas as demonstrated in the table?”

A council officer replied that there is no national guidance when it comes to these rates.

Each local authority has different costings which makes it hard to comment on. West Dunbartonshire Council has already informed the Scottish Government of this problem.

Following the discussion members agreed to note the report.