Agenda item

This report ask Members to consider the introduction of restrictions on vehicle colour, and for the introduction of vehicle emission standards for private hire vehicles.  It also examines the potential for encouraging lower carbon dioxide emissions for private hire and hackney carriages.

Members considered a report which proposed a timetable for the introduction of restrictions on vehicle colour, as agreed by the Committee on 4 January 2008, and for the introduction of vehicle emission standards for private hire vehicles.  The report also examined the potential for encouraging lower carbon dioxide emissions from private hire and hackney carriage vehicles.

The Committee had already resolved that private hire vehicles should not be black in colour and that their licence conditions should be amended to include emission standards.  Members were now asked to consider options in respect of these matters, in the light of the results of consultation with the private hire trade and results of the Halcrow study on hackney carriage provision, results of which were attached as Annexes 1 and 2 to the report.  The options were:

a)            Colour Restriction

Option 1 – not to apply the restriction retrospectively to the 49 private hire vehicles currently painted black. This would dilute the effect of the policy relating to hackney carriages, due to take effect from 1 June 2009, but would not place undue financial burden on vehicle owners.

Option 2 – not to re-license any private hire vehicle painted black after 31 October 2009.  This was the proposal consulted on and would align the policy for private hire with that for hackney carriages.

Option 3 – not to re-license any private hire vehicle painted black after 31 October 2010.  This was the recommended option, representing a reasonable balance between meeting the Council’s objectives without placing excessively onerous financial pressures on vehicle owners.

b)            Emission Standards

Option 1 – take no action – not recommended as it would mean failure to follow the Council’s own strategy in the Local Transport Plan.

Option 2 – apply the same standard as for hackney carriages, in accordance with the timetable set out in paragraph 10 of the report.  This was the proposal consulted on.

Option 3 – as Option 2, but with an extended period for compliance, as set out in paragraph 15.  This was the recommended option as it would meet the Council’s objectives and provide the trade with more time to comply.

c)            Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Option 1 – take no action.  Not recommended, as this would miss the chance to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in York.

Option 2 – amend the private hire and hackney carriage vehicle licence conditions to exempt vehicles that meet the current Euro standard for vehicle emissions from any vehicle age restrictions and to reduce their vehicle licence fees by 50%.  This was the recommended option.

Option 3 – provide some other incentive to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly vehicles.

In response to the comments made on this item under Public Participation, Officers confirmed that the Council had no control over the emissions from buses and other public vehicles and that the Euro standards related to the standard to which a vehicle was constructed, not to any subsequent test.  The Chair expressed his appreciation for the contribution that taxi firms had recently made to raising the standards of taxi services in the City.

RESOLVED:(i)         That, in respect of vehicle colour, Option 3 be approved and that no private hire vehicle which is painted black be re-licensed after 31 October 2008, subject to legal clarification regarding the two wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles licensed late in 2007, as raised under Public Participation.¹

REASON:      Having regard to the consultation exercise, this option provides a reasonable balance between meeting the Council’s objectives without placing too onerous a financial burden on vehicle owners, by providing a longer roll-out period than originally suggested.

                        (ii)        That, in respect of emission standards, Option 3 be approved and that an extended period of compliance with the emission standards be applied, as set out in paragraph 15 of the report.²

REASON:      This will meet the Council’s objectives, respond to comments received through consultation and provide the trade with more time to comply, via the natural cycle of vehicle renewal.

                        (iii)       That, in respect of carbon dioxide emissions, the introduction of low CO2 emitting hackney carriages and private hire vehicles be incentivised by changes to the vehicle licence conditions and licence fees structure as set out in paragraph 29 of the report.³

REASON:      To meet Council priorities and strategies, as set out in the Corporate Strategy and the Local Transport Plan.