Agenda item

GM MINIMUM LICENSING STANDARDS

A report covering the findings of the Greater Manchester consultation relating to Minimum Licensing Standards for Private Hire and Hackney drivers, vehicles and operators.

Minutes:

A report and presentation were received to advise the Committee of the findings of the consultation on Greater Manchester’s (GM’s) Minimum Licensing Standards (MLS), which had closed in December 2020.  The report also covered some of the local impacts of any future policy.

 

The Committee was reminded that Hackney and Private Hire services are a hugely important part of the transport sector: collectively they provide more journeys for residents and visitors than Metrolink or local rail, and represent a significant part of the economy, employing over 20,000 people across the city region.  MLS for all GM Local Authorities represented a means of achieving a range of shared goals, which were outlined within the report.  Also outlined within the report was the overall approach that GM looked to providing.

 

It was reported that the proposed MLS covered the following main areas:

 

·         Drivers;

·         Vehicles;

·         Operators;

·         Local Authorities; and

·         Roadmap to zero emission capable vehicles (ZEC)

 

Details in relation to each of the above were outlined within the report.  Securing the above ambitions would require a rolling, progressive programme of reform, with several elements to be designed, developed, agreed and implemented over time.

 

The Committee was advised of the findings on the GM MLS consultation which had taken place between October and December 2020.  Nearly 1700 responses had been received with 59% of responders being from the public, 21% from private hire drivers and 14% from hackney drivers.  Details of the headline findings from the consultation were outlined within the report.  The comments of the Council’s Legal Services Department were also outlined within the report.

 

The Committee was further advised that officers were currently working through the proposals and consultation responses in order to make recommendations later in the year.  Some of the proposals were already in the statutory guidance which had to be implemented by the end of the year, for example, emissions were covered in the GM Clean Air Plan.

 

Members were reminded that Oldham would still be operating as one of 10 separate GM Councils, but as one with a range of shared goals for safe, visible and high-quality licensed vehicles.  Further reports would be brought before the Committee for consideration.

 

Members were also advised of the decision of the Licensing Committee on 8th June 2021 when it had been resolved that vehicles that reach the upper age limit before the closure of the funding opportunities be extended until 31st December 2021, to allow drivers to apply for grants to upgrade non-compliant vehicles and that consideration of the vehicle colour policy had been deferred.  The Committee was also advised that a vehicle would not be changed due to colour.

 

A discussion took place around the consultation and proposals in which the following points were made:

 

·         It was queried why Oldham had fewer responses to the consultation in comparison to other authorities.  The point was acknowledged but no significant explanation was known.  All drivers had received the same information and been sent multiple emails with links etc.  Paper copies of the consultation had been requested by some Hackney Carriage Drivers, either as part of a group, association or on an individual basis, and these had been provided.

·         The issue of cross-border Private Hire was raised and how drivers that did not comply with local regulations could be addressed.  The Committee was advised that there was no current legislation to deal with this ‘loop hole’ and that lobbying of the Government was still taking place to address this issue.  Good communications to customers regarding this issue was suggested, such as a communications messaging system promoting the GM ‘brand’ and advice that if a GM vehicle was not used the local authority could not vouch for the licence or vehicle, as the Authority had no powers to enforce local regulations.

·                 The purpose of the anticipated £20 million funding becoming available was queried.  In response it was advised that the money would be likely just for vehicles requiring compliant engines linked to the emissions requirements of the Clean Air Plan.  Such grants would be available only to those with non-compliant vehicles.  It was advised that financing options were being looked into for costs that may be associated with other requirements.

·                 It was queried if vehicle and driver standards were likely to change.  The Committee was advised that this was likely and there would be reporting on developments at a future meetings.

 

RESOLVED – That the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the findings of the GM Minimum Licensing Standards consultation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: