To consider a report from the Executive Member for Communities and Safety.

1)    That the content of the report be noted;

2)    That the approval of the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy which includes the amendments detailed at 3.19 be recommended to Council;

3)    That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities and Safety to bring the implementation date for vehicle age and emission standards (for existing licensed vehicles) forward from 1^st April 2026 should it be deemed appropriate in support of the Clean Air agenda be recommended to Council.

The Executive Member for Communities and Safety introduced the item by explaining the journey of the policies development leading to them being presented to the Committee. The Executive Member drew the Committees attention to the main aims and objectives of the licensing standards and the benefits that their implementation would deliver. The Committee were asked to note the issues that had caused the delay to the policy being drafted and that the policy included a series of amendments. The Executive Member then proceeded to read out the most salient amendments including those to the minimum standards and spoke about the restrictions on age of vehicles, emission standards, and the impact that they would have upon the clean air programme. The Executive Member concluded her introduction by reading out the recommendations and thanking the officers who had prepared the report.

The Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture, and Heritage welcomed the report and the changes that it would implement especially around agreed minimum standards across greater Manchester, speaking from her own experience as a regular user of taxis.

The Leader then opened to floor to comments and questions from all Members in attendance.

Councillor Evans raised a concern about the implementation of emissions standards and the impact it could have on the drivers within the borough. The Corporate Director of Place assured the Committee that the Council were aware of the changes that Taxi Drivers faced and that the Council would proceed with implementation with due diligence. 

Councillor Frass noted the issues around vehicles which were licensed within other areas who operated within Trafford and asked if there was anything that could be done to tackle the safeguarding concerns. The Corporate Director of Place stated that the Council had limited powers to tackle the issue and encouraged users to use Greater Manchester licensed taxis and to report any issues with a taxi to their licensing authority.

Following the conclusion of discussions, the Leader moved the recommendations of the report and they were approved.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the content of the report be noted;

2)    That the approval of the proposed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy which includes the amendments detailed at 3.19 be recommended to Council;

3)    That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Communities and Safety to bring the implementation date for vehicle age and emission standards (for existing licensed vehicles) forward from 1^st April 2026 should it be deemed appropriate in support of the Clean Air agenda be recommended to Council.