Issue - meetings

Committee to consider an Interim Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Emissions Policy as proposed by the Taxi Emissions Task and Finish Group and to approve it prior to formal consultation.

The Licensing Manager advised Committee the report aligned with the Council Plan to consider moving from an age condition to emission condition policy for Taxi and Private Hire Vehicles. The current policy stated a vehicle could not be more than 5 years old on first licence and could be renewed up to 10 years old with wheelchair accessible, electric and Elite vehicles being exempt from the age policy.

The Task and Finish Group recommended an interim measure policy based on Euro 6 compliance (latest compliance level for vehicle emissions from 2015 car registrations onwards) on renewal of the licence and to remove the current exemption for Elite vehicles. The group recognised there currently was not the Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure in the district, there were higher costs to purchasing electric vehicles and there was limited second hand purchase availability to enforce mandatory electric taxi and private hire vehicles at this current time. The group also recommended new wheelchair accessible vehicles licences be exempt from the 5 year age policy on first licence but must be Euro 6 compliant and there would be no change to any existing wheelchair accessible licenses.  The report sought approval for consultation and to report the findings in March 2023.

In response to Councillor Prenter’s question, the Licensing Manager confirmed Uber did not operate in Stroud and they would be required to operate using an operator licence or use a neighbouring authorities operating licence to expand into Stroud. 

Proposed by Councillor Prenter and Seconded by Councillor Edmunds.

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