Agenda and minutes

            The Minutes of the meeting held on 25^th November 2020 having been circulated were signed as a correct record.

            The Committee considered a report which outlined the concerns within the Taxi Trade due to the economic consequences of the current pandemic, relating to the replacement of vehicles on reaching the prescribed age limits. At a previous meeting it was resolved that Licensed Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Vehicles in the Borough of Halton would be subject to age restrictions.

            Members were advised that the current concerns within the trade were that replacing a licensed vehicle on attaining current age limits could, in the current lack of trade and governmental restrictions due to the pandemic, be punitive to the proprietor of said vehicles and place unreasonable financial and / or personal pressures on Licence Holders. It was suggested to allow a further temporary lift to the age restriction, as was decided in 2012 in reason of the recession.

            The Committee noted the 77 comments and considerations received in response to the consultation.

            RESOLVED: That

1.    With effect from 26 February 2021 any Hackney Carriage Vehicle or Private Hire Vehicle licenced by Halton Borough Council (“the Council”) on that date may continue to be capable of being a qualifying vehicle notwithstanding that on or after that date the vehicle may exceed the adopted qualifying vehicle age threshold of the Council (“the Dispensation”) subject to the conditions (“the Conditions”) set out below at (3); and

2.    The Dispensation shall apply for a period of 2 years commencing on 26 February 2021 (but for the avoidance of doubt any new vehicle licence granted during this period shall continue to the end of the period of that licence) and thereafter the Council’s adopted qualifying vehicle criteria for the time being in force shall apply and the Dispensation shall cease to apply:

3.    The Conditions shall be:

-       Any vehicle taking advantage of the Dispensation shall be subject to 3 tests per year; and

-       No vehicle taking advantage of the Dispensation may be transferred to another proprietor.