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

Cabinet is recommended to:

-       Approve the delay to the implementation on the 1 January 2026 of the Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle Standards for hackney carriage vehicles, to be revisited by such successor organisation that results from Local Government Reorganisation.

Cabinet resolved to:

-       Approve the delay to the implementation on the 1 January 2026 of the Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle Standards for hackney carriage vehicles, to be revisited by such successor organisation that results from Local Government Reorganisation.

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

Councillor Railton presented the report. She explained that in January of 2026, there was an existing requirement for Hackney Carriages to become fully electric. She outlined the three options detailed in the report, and noted their preferred recommendation, to delay the implementation of the Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle Standards for hackney carriage vehicles, to be revisited by such successor organisation that results from Local Government Reorganisation. She also noted the challenges facing the trade and drivers, which influenced their approach to the recommendation before Cabinet. Councillor Railton said that they did not want to disadvantage local taxis, as compared to other taxi drivers that may come into the area due to Local Government Reorganisation. She said that this recommendation was supportive of the opinions of taxi drivers and the relevant economic data.

Councillor Turner spoke in support of the recommendation. He emphasised the importance of the taxi trade in Oxford and acknowledged that they were an authority which regulates more closely than others. He recognized the challenges faced by the trade and drivers, including the lack of people out during the night and the closure of the Botley road. He noted the high quality and important work of the taxi drivers in Oxford and stated the importance of members using their positions to voice concerns to central government.

Councillor Brown agreed with Councillor Turner on the importance of local authorities being the organisations which regulate the local taxi trade.

Councillor Hollingsworth agreed with the points made by Councillors Turner and Railton. He agreed that it had been quieter in nighttime hours in the city centre. He asked for clarity regarding the legal position and governance route being taken by Cabinet. Councillor Hollingsworth asked about the legal advice they had received and why it was necessary for Cabinet to take this decision, instead of the Licensing Committee.

Emma Jackman, the Director of Law, Governance, and Strategy, responded to the question from Councillor Hollingsworth. She said that the advice was based on a limited case which looked particularly at taxi licensing. In line with general practice, she would agree with Councillor Hollingsworth and said that she did not have concerns that this was a wider issue. However, due to a particular case on taxi licensing, the Council was advised to take this governance route.

Councillor Brown agreed that this was a one off, particular case. She noted that if they’d had more time, they would have amended the constitution first and then taken this decision at Licensing Committee. However, she said that they did not want to leave the trade in limbo, and they wanted to give the trade and drivers certainty as soon as possible. She noted that the report and recommendations before them were the same as those presented to the Licensing Committee.

Cabinet resolved to:

-       Approve the delay to the implementation on the 1 January 2026 of the Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle Standards for hackney carriage vehicles, to be revisited by such successor organisation that results from Local Government Reorganisation.