Shropshire Council looks at revenue raising plans

Taxi drivers, animal kennels and sex shops could all see licensing hikes of up to 60 per cent next year under new hard-line plans by Shirehall chiefs.

Officials at Shropshire Council say the authority charges businesses much less in licensing fees compared to neighbouring authorities and are now proposing huge cost increases over the next three years.

Those who could be hit the hardest include taxi drivers, with the cost of a three year driver's badge rising from £115 to £184 in the next financial year.

Private hire driver's operator's licences are also set to rocket by 50 per cent for a 12-month licence and by 60 per cent for a three year one.

Animal breeders, boarding kennels and catteries, riding establishments and pet shops could also suffer with fees due to rise between 25 per cent and 30 per cent next year.

Sex shop owners would also be expected to share the burden and could see the cost of an annual licence rise from £1,350 to £2,025 - 50 per cent - with a renewal costing £1,755, an increase of 30 per cent.

Members of Shropshire Council's strategic licensing committee will be asked to agree the charges tomorrow

A report by David Edwards, head of public protection, said there was scope for the council to raise licensing fees to reach the average of its neighbours