Agenda item

The Committee gave consideration to a report of the Trading Standards and Licensing Manager which advised Members of the commencement of consultation of Greater Manchester Minimum Licencing Standards and Clean Air Plan that would close on the 3^rd December 2020.

There were four main areas the minimum licensing standards covered which were:

·         Drivers: Common standards of DBS checks, medicals, local knowledge, English language proficiency, driver training and dress code.

·         Vehicles: Vehicle emission standards of Euro IV for petrol engines and Euro VI for diesel from 2021 with an ambition to zero emission capable vehicles by 2029. Age policy of under five at first licensing and licensed until ten years old. All hackney carriages to be black and private hire vehicles white. Hackney carriages to be all wheelchair accessible. Common livery, CCTV in vehicles and other design and licensing requirements.

·         Operators: Private hire operators and base staff to have basic DBS checks. Updated conditions and record keeping requirements.

·         Local authorities: Common timescales for submitting applications and receiving granted ones. A common enforcement approach and a framework to which fees will be set.

Members were informed of the Clean Air Plan for Greater Manchester and the staggered approach to reduce emissions within Greater Manchester. Though a Government mandate the ten Local Authorities were required to consult with each other to develop a joint Clean Air Plan to improve air quality. Pollution was linked to health complications and was the cause of numerous deaths, the Clean Air Plan would cover all commercial vehicles as it was a serious issue for Greater Manchester.

Members asked for and received clarification on the cost to replace private hire vehicles and what support was available to drivers. It was noted that it would cost around £1000 to replace a private hire car and £5000 for minibuses. Members were informed that it cost more to replace a mini bus and that there were more saloon cars that required replacing within the small pot of money received from Government via a bid. The Authority was going for any money they could get to help to ensure all vehicles met the requirements to support the trade.

Members felt that the offer of £1000 for the vehicles was not enough from drivers and there was an issue with the policy on the colours of the vehicles. It was stated that within Oldham the Hackney saloon vehicles were all white and private hire vehicles were any colour. The policy would need to be changed to allow drivers to purchase white vehicles and black hackney vehicles now and in the future. Members were advised that the policy was not set in stone however if vehicles were compliant emissions wise then the colour of the vehicle would not need to change if within the age range. It was agreed that proposals on colour restrictions would be brought to the next meeting of the committee subject to a consultation with the trade.

RESOLVED that:

1.    The report be noted.

2.    The proposals on colour restrictions be brought to a future meeting of the Committee.