Issue - meetings

The Head of Licensing presented a report to the Committee which proposed amending the current age policy in relation to Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles, taking into consideration the impact of these vehicles on air quality.

Members were advised that the current age policy was considered by the Committee in September 2018, who decided to leave the policy unchanged. A commitment was made in the 2019/2020 Licensing Work Plan to revisit the age policy with emphasis on vehicle emissions.

The Head of Licensing explained that the Hackney Carriage fleet is largely compliant with EU Emission Standards and the current age policy had a positive effect on the emission levels. Within the Private Hire Fleet, distinguishing the Wheel Chair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) from other types of vehicles would raise the compliance level.

Members were advised that out of 141 Private Hire Vehicles 73 do not meet the EU Standards for emissions, with 66 of these being WAV. The remaining seven vehicles would soon leave the fleet due to their age under the current policy.

Speaking from the public, Mr Andrew Wallbank explained that his business uses WAVS to provide the school contract work for Lancashire County Council (LCC) and the vehicles drive less than 200 miles per week. Mr Wallbank raised concern that a reduction in the age policy would mean his business would lose viability.

The Chair advised Members that there was an action on the Air Quality Plan to reduce the age of the cars on the fleet in order to improve air quality.

Overall, members were of the view that reducing the air pollution from private hire and hackney carriages was important in improving air quality within the Borough. However, the reduction in age policy would need to be managed in a way which would have little impact on the Public.

Members agreed that the consultation would need to consider all wider issues and requested to see the draft consultation questions.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

1.    The Licensing Service be required to consult on amending the Age Policy (as outlined in the report), with the maximum age of a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle being eight years old coming into effect 1 January 2022. For disabled transport an additional year of transition will be added, with the age limit coming into effect 1 January 2023.

2.    Members of the Committee would be presented with a copy of the draft consultation questions to provide any feedback or comments.

3.    The Committee will receive a report on the outcome of the consultation at a future meeting.