The Chair reminded the Committee to declare any interests relating to communication or meetings with any member of the licensing trader or persons noted on the agenda. 

Councillor Rehman declared that he had regularly spoken with members of COLTA to discuss their grievance but confirmed that he would approach this Committee meeting with a fair and open mind. 

Councillor Taylor noted that he had been scheduled to meet with COLTA, however this was cancelled and did not take place. Councillor Taylor also confirmed that he would be attending this meeting with a with a fair and open mind. 

Councillor Upton noted her communications with members of the licensing trade over recent years but confirmed that she would also be attending this meeting with a with a fair and open mind. 

Councillor Mundy declared that he had historically met with COLTA but not in recent months. Councillor Mundy also confirmed that he would be attending this meeting with a with a fair and open mind. 

Councillor Miles noted that she had spoken with members of COLTA socially at an Oxford City Council Christmas event but noted that they had not discussed the policy being considered at this meeting. Councillor Miles also confirmed that she would be attending this meeting with a with a fair and open mind. 

Recommendation: to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2025 as a true and accurate record.

The Licensing Committee resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2025 as a true and accurate record. 

Public addresses relating to matters of business for this agenda, up to five minutes is available for each public address.

The request to speak accompanied by the full text of the address must be received by the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy by 5.00 pm on Tuesday 16 September.

The Chair invited Mr. Bashir Ahmed to address the Committee, noting that he would be allocated five minutes to speak.  

A copy of the address is published as a supplement to these minutes.

The Chair invited Mr. Jonathan Payne to address the Committee, noting that he would be allocated five minutes to speak.  

A copy of the address is published as a supplement to these minutes.

The Chair thanked Mr. Ahmed and Mr. Payne for their addresses to the Committee.  

Councillor addresses relating to matters of business for this agenda, up to five minutes is available for each address.

The request should be received by the Director of Law, Governance and Strategy by 5.00 pm on Tuesday 16 September.

None.

The Deputy Chief Executive for Citizens and City Services had submitted a report to consider a delay to the final phase of emission standards for Hackney Carriage Vehicles licensed by this Authority.

Recommendations: That the General Purposes Licensing Committee:

1.    Consider

·       the request made by City of Oxford Licenced Taxicab Association to delay the final phase of the hackney carriage emission standards

·       the Environmental Sustainability Teams Affordability and Emissions Report

·       the full contents of this report including the options presented:

                                               i.     Maintain the current policy

                                              ii.     Extend the deadline by one year

                                            iii.     Align with Local Government Reorganisation

2.    Agree any amendments to the current emission standards for hackney carriage vehicles licenced by this authority;

3.    Agree that any such amendments be recommended to Council for adoption.

The General Purposes Licensing Committee resolved to:

1.    Consider

·       the request made by City of Oxford Licenced Taxicab Association to delay the final phase of the hackney carriage emission standards

·       the Environmental Sustainability Teams Affordability and Emissions Report

·       the full contents of this report including the options presented:

                                               i.     Maintain the current policy

                                              ii.     Extend the deadline by one year

                                            iii.     Align with Local Government Reorganisation

2.    Agree to align with Local Government Reorganisation to postpone the final phase that all Hackney Carriage vehicles must meet the ultra-low emission vehicle standard until the establishment of the new unitary council, aligning the policy with wider structural changes and enabling consistent standards across the new licensing authority.

3.    Recommend to Council that the adoption of the Hackney Carriage Vehicle Emission Standards aligns with Local Government Reorganisation.

The Deputy Chief Executive for Citizens and City Services had submitted a report to consider a delay to the final phase of emission standards for Hackney Carriage Vehicles licensed by this Authority. 

The Licensing Team Manager introduced the report and provided a comprehensive summary.  

The Chair invited questions from the Committee to officers. 

 
Councillor Ottino firstly requested examples of other Councils that manage different taxi licensing regulations within different areas of their authority. Secondly, it was asked what differences there are between the regulations Oxford City Council applies to Hackney Carriage licences, in comparison to those applied by other councils, for example rules for disabled wheelchair access. Councillor Ottino expressed concern around how these differences are managed and the issues this may cause. The Licensing Team Manager noted Bath and North Somerset Council as an example of a unitary council that manages varying licensing regulations under one authority area and explained how the management of this could be approached if Oxford City Council were to be merged into a unitary council. In response to Councillor Ottino’s second query, it was explained that Oxford City Council does require all Hackney Carriage Vehicles to be wheelchair accessible and provided details on the conditions for this alongside the vehicular models which meet the required standards. 

Councillor Miles sought to clarify whether urban and rural variations have led to the difference in vehicle types available, or whether other root causes were responsible. The Licensing Team Manger explained that different policies exist between different authorities as variable devolution of powers to councils over many years has created discrepancies, alongside the requirements for councils to respond to varying local needs. In the case of Oxford specifically, the Committee heard that the Licensing Authority has been ahead of the rising national standards required and has therefore had to make fewer changes that other authorities.  

Councillor Rehman noted a historic promise from Oxford City Council to install additional electric chargers in certain locations which has not been fulfilled. Councillor Rehman asked that by delaying the final phase of emission standards for Hackney Carriage Vehicles, whether there would be a benefit to those who do not yet have electric taxis, noting that he did not see what financial disadvantage there could be to those who already own the required electric vehicles. The Licensing Team Manager recommended that the Committee focused on the ongoing commitments of the Council to installing electric chargers in the future. In relation to Councillor Rehman’s second question, it was noted that the suggestion of a disadvantage to those who have already invested in electric cabs if the adoption of the policy were to be delayed is a hypothetical suggestion made in the report; it was not possible for detail to provide on what this may be. Councillor Rehman and the Licensing Team Manager further debated concerns relating to the installation of electric chargers in relation to decisions made at the committee in 2019. 

Councillor Upton recognised the requirement of the Committee to consider what is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Committee is next cheduled to meet on:

·       9 February 2026

The Committee noted the dates and times of future meetings.