Agenda item

To consider a report by the Director of Resources and Housing which informs Members of the specific issues affecting the Taxi and Private Hire sector as a result of the introduction of the CAZ and provides information about the proposed support packages.

(Report attached)

The Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report which informed Members of the specific issues affecting the Taxi and Private Hire sector as a result of the introduction of the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and provide information about the proposed support packages.

The Project Manager, Sustainable Energy and Air Quality (SEAQ) explained the background to the report and the main issues to be considered which included the following:

·  CAZ Boundary

·  Taxi and Private Hire sector Consultation

·  Charging Regime – Buses, coaches & HGVs £50 per day, Taxi & Private Hire Vehicles £12.50 per day (Non-Leeds licensed drivers) £12.50 per day or £50 per week (Leeds licensed drivers only)

·  Exemptions

·  Rationale for introduction of support packages

·  Grant Scheme

·  Loan Scheme

Commenting on the Taxi & Private Hire consultation, Members queried if all the key issues around the CAZ proposals had been addressed to the satisfaction of the trade.

In responding the Project Manager (SEAQ) said that where the Council has been able to respond positively, it has done so,  the use of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) was one such example as this is now an allowable fuel for the taxi and private hire trade (subject to certain conditions such as installation by a UKLPG qualified garage). It was reported that a recent report to the Executive Board did include an appendices which provided feedback on the CAZ consultation. It was suggested that this report appendices could be made available to Members of the Licensing Committee if that was their wish.

Members requested that the CAZ consultation feedback be circulated to all Members of the Licensing Committee.

Members queried how non Leeds licensed drivers would be charged.

In Responding officers said that non-compliant vehicles would be identified through the establishment of a National Database for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles which should be operational by 2020.

It was suggested by Members that there appeared to be delays in the establishment of this National Database, these delays were they technical or bureaucratic in nature.

In responding officers reported that vigorous testing of the new database was currently ongoing, information on vehicle changes occurred on a frequent basis and it was important that the information was accurate and up to date. It was understood there were no unnecessary obstacles in terms of bureaucratic delays.

In offering comment the Executive Member responsible said the establishment of the National Database was the responsibility of the Government, it was for Leeds to do everything they could to achieve the legal objectives by the required date.

With reference to buses/ coaches Members queried if there would be support packages available to bus/ coach operators.

Members were informed that a support package was being developed for bus/ coach operators which would include assistance towards the purchase of new vehicles or assistance towards the retro fitting of existing vehicles.

Referring to the Grants / Loan schemes Members queried if a driver/operator could apply for both a loan and a transition grant.

Members were informed that a driver / operator could apply for both schemes, there were some restrictions together with terms and conditions.

Members queried if the displacement of vehicles around the edge of the Clean Air Zone would be monitored.

In responding officers said that any such monitoring would be undertaken by Traffic Management.

The Chair thanked Officers for their attendance and providing a clear explanation of the CAZ issues. The Chair also thanked Councillor James Lewis, Executive Board responsible for attending and his contributions to the discussion.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report by noted

(ii)  That feedback on the CAZ consultation be circulated to all Members of the Committee