Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report which set out the current position with regards to the Clean Air Plan, the related financial support for Oldham’s licensed trades and how this effected the current emissions policy.

The Council in its capacity as licensing authority was responsible for the licensing of private hire and hackney carriage drivers and vehicles, and private hire operators. Best practice suggested that licensing authorities adopt a single licensing policy in order to unify all its decisions, procedures and conditions as a single source of information for licensees, applicants and interested parties. Due to the changes and delays to the Clean Air Plan (CAP) or Greater Manchester since work began in 2018, both taxis and private hire vehicles had been continuously affected. To support the case for funding and provide assurance it would deliver the changes required, Greater Manchester offered commitments to government that emissions policies would mandate the transition to cleaner vehicles and prevent non-emission compliant vehicles from being licensed in the future.

Members were informed that the proposals included:

·         Extend the emissions compliance date to 31 December 2026 for existing vehicle licence holders with non-compliant vehicles.

·         Allow existing vehicle licence holders to continue to renew their vehicle licence with the same non-emissions compliant vehicle until the age limit of that vehicle in accordance with the vehicle age policy.

·         Extend the age limit for purpose-built hackney carriages and wheelchair accessible private hire vehicles from 15 years to 17 years.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The report be noted.

2.    The proposals be approved.