Amendment to Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2015 to 2019

Proposal

We are seeking your comments on an amendment to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2015 to 2019 regarding the licensing of new diesel vehicles from 1 April 2018.

The Council's existing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2015 to 2019 (available to download at the bottom of this page) currently makes no reference to European Emission Standard 6 (Euro 6) for either Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Vehicles.  This arose as a result of feedback from the trade who strongly indicated during the consultation in 2014/15 that implementing the Euro 6 Standard in 2018 would be overly burdensome given this was the first occasion that the Council had incorporated an Emission Standard as part of its policy.  The Council accepted this position.

It has now come to light that following the removal of the Euro 6 Standard, no provision was made in the policy for new diesel vehicles after 31 March 2018 as set out in the tables in paragraphs 3b.12 for Hackney Carriages and 3c.8 for Private Hire Vehicles.  The relevant extracts from the current policy are reproduced below.  It is proposed that the requirements relating to new diesel vehicles will be amended.

Emissions - extract from the current policy relating to Hackney Carriages

3b.12     Vehicles must comply with the following European Emission Standards as defined by EU Regulation 692/2008 (which implemented and amended Regulation 715/2007):-

Emissions - extract from the current policy relating to Private Hire Vehicles

3c.8        Vehicles must comply with the following European Emission Standards as defined by EU Regulation 692/2008 (which implemented and amended Regulation 715/2007):-

Despite the omission, officers have recognised that in order for the trade to continue with business planning there is a need for certainty and confidence in the information provided to allow proprietors to purchase new diesel vehicles in the knowledge that they will comply with the Council's requirements in respect of emission standards until a revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy takes effect in April 2019.

To that end, the Council is consulting on proposed amendments to the requirements for new diesel vehicles in the tables in paragraphs 3b.12 for Hackney Carriages and 3c.8 for Private Hire Vehicles of the current policy as set out in the extracts below.

Emissions - proposed amendment to current policy relating to Hackney Carriages

3b.12     Vehicles must comply with the following European Emission Standards as defined by EU Regulation 692/2008 (which implemented and amended Regulation 715/2007):-

Emissions - proposed amendment to current policy relating to Private Hire Vehicles

3c.8        Vehicles must comply with the following European Emission Standards as defined by EU Regulation 692/2008 (which implemented and amended Regulation 715/2007):-

How to get involved

We are really keen to hear your comments about the proposed amendment to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy 2015 - 2019.

Any comments should be made in writing no later than 5pm on 1 March 2018 by:

• Post to Licensing, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND; or
• E-mail to taxis@shropshire.gov.uk

Any comments received will be considered by the Council's Cabinet on the 21 March 2018.  It is the Council's aim that the amendment to the existing policy, with any further modifications agreed by Cabinet, will be adopted and brought into force with effect from 22 March 2018 (subject to the Council's call-in procedures) and remain effective until the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy takes effect in April 2019.