Decision details

The Licensing Manager introduced the report and reminded Committee that in December 2022 Committee approved the draft policy developed by the Task and Finish (T&F) Group to go out to public consultation. The T&F Group met with trade representatives and also sought the views from the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group who asked for reassurance that wheelchair accessible taxis available to the public would not be reduced. She continued and explained that the T&F Group concluded that due to electric vehicle (EV) costs and lack of infrastructure in the district, a mandatory EV policy was not appropriate and instead a policy based on Euro 6 compliance to reduce emissions, would be an appropriate interim measure.

Councillor Tucker asked for clarification on paragraph 2.3 of the report and asked if it was all vehicles registered after 1 September 2015 or 2025 which were Euro 6 compliant. The Licensing Manager confirmed it was 2015.

Proposed by Councillor Prenter and seconded by Councillor John Jones.

The Chair, Councillor Brine gave his thanks to the Officers and the T&F Group for their hard work.

Councillor Prenter believed the T&F Group struck a good balance between equality and environmental considerations within the Policy.

Councillor John Jones advised Committee that had there been better infrastructure for public electric charging points that the policy might have had a different Policy.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.