The Head of Community Services submitted a report to the General Licensing Committee (attached) which details proposals for the implementation of a variety of criteria applicable to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles in the City in order to promote reductions in pollutants and to reduce the number of vehicles licensed by other Authorities from working within the City.

The relevant draft minute of the General Licensing Committee meeting on 14 September is attached to the briefing note.

The Chair of the Committee will present the report and recommendations.

Recommendations

The General Purposes Licensing Committee recommends Council to:

1.    approve the proposed amendments to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle “Conditions of Fitness” as detailed within this report at Appendix 5;

2.    revise the Vehicle Age Limits criteria due to come into force on 1 January 2016 as detailed in this report in paragraph 44;

3.    approve the proposal to offer a discounted licence fee to be applicable to vehicles that fall with Vehicle Excise Bands A, B and C (deemed to be low emission vehicles).

As this item affected one of his disclosable pecuniary interests, Councillor Malik left the room at the start of this item and took no part in the debate or decision.

Council had before it a report detailing proposals for the implementation of a variety of criteria applicable to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles in the City in order to promote reductions in pollutants and to reduce the number of vehicles licensed by other Authorities from working within the City and the recommendations of the General Licensing Committee meeting on 14 September 2015.

Councillor Clarkson introduced the report and addressed the points raised by Mr Bashir Ahmed.

Council resolved to:

1.    approve the proposed amendments to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle “Conditions of Fitness” as detailed within this report at Appendix 5;

2.    revise the Vehicle Age Limits criteria due to come into force on 1 January 2016 as detailed in this report in paragraph 44;

3.    approve the proposal to offer a discounted licence fee to be applicable to vehicles that fall with Vehicle Excise Bands A, B and C (deemed to be low emission vehicles).

At the end of this item, Councillor Malik returned to the meeting and Councillor Altaf-Khan joined the meeting.