Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Officer Electoral and Regulatory which informs Members of the recommendations of the Vehicle Conditions (ULEV) Working Group for changes to council’s existing vehicle conditions to encourage high emission vehicles to be replaced by ULEVs, in line with the council’s Clean Air Zone priorities. 

The report also highlights some of the likely areas where the council’s current vehicle policies and conditions should be reviewed by a vehicle working group and consulted upon and policies updated following receipt of any comments or objections.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer Electoral and Regulatory submitted a report which informed the Committee of the recommendations arising from the Vehicle Conditions (ULEV) Working Group, which proposed changes to the council’s existing vehicles conditions to encourage high emission vehicles to be replaced by ULEVs, in line with the council’s Clean Air Zone priorities.

The report highlighted some of the likely areas where the council’s current vehicle policies and conditions should be reviewed (by a Vehicles Working Group), consulted upon and policies updated following receipt of any comments or objections.

 Appended to the report were copies of the following appendices:

·  A list of the delegates who attended and contributed to the Vehicles Conditions (ULEV) Working Group (Appendix No.1 referred)

·  An Equality & Diversity Cohesion and Integration Impact Assessment (Appendix 2)

A letter from the Unite Union was circulated prior to the start of the meeting and considered.

The letter set out Unite’s view that the recommendations put forward by the Working Group did not go far enough and suggested alternatives. The Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Manager explained that the proposals put forward in the report arose from the working group review and to go beyond this would need further consideration and potentially consultation. The issues raised by Unite would be considered in the next planned review.

Addressing the report the Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Manager explained the background to the report, the main issues to be considered and the recommendations of the working group in that a number of minor changes were required in order to ease transition towards ultra-low emission vehicles.

The recommendations of the working group were:

·  Removal of 1400cc minimum engine capacity for ULEVs

·  Extend age at first licensed for ULEVs to 7 years and fewer than 120,000 miles

·  Extend age at which last licensed for ULEVs to 12 years

·  Temporary extension for up to six months for vehicles reaching maximum age limit November 2018 to April 2019

Commenting on the temporary extension of up six months for vehicles reaching the maximum age limit, Members sought assurance that drivers/operators would be notified  when the six month period begins and ends, the suggested period in the submitted report appeared not to be correct.

The Taxi & Private Hire Licensing Manager gave an assurance that the temporary six month extension period would be notified to drivers / operators.

Referring to the age restrictions for Licenced vehicles in Leeds, Members expressed the view that it was important to maintain standards but were aware that other local authorities do not have the same standards.

In responding Members were informed that there were some “odd/ historic” vehicle age conditions operating in other local authorities. Common standards were being introduced across the West Yorkshire and the York areas but common standards need to apply nationally.

Referring to the grants scheme, Members queried the period of time for any grant to be spent.

Members were informed that the grant could only be claimed once the CAZ compliant vehicle had been purchased and licensed, the grant was claimed as cashback.

In drawing the discussion to a conclusion the Chair expressed her thanks and appreciation to Councillors Bithell and Flynn for their participation in the vehicle conditions working group.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the purpose and content of the submitted report

(ii)  To note the letter of objection from the Unite Union

(iii)  To support the recommendations arising from the Vehicle Conditions (ULEV) Working Group