Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities, Councillor Victoria Atherstone

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the revised wording in relation to the 2030 target date for emissions, as laid out in paragraph 4.3, is adopted;

2.    the revised wording is incorporated into the Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy and that the document is adopted at the December Full Council meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities introduced the report on proposals to review the 2030 emissions policy for taxis, aligning Cheltenham with Stroud and Tewkesbury. The policy sets a pathway to zero-emission taxis by 2030, with interim requirements for electric or ultra-low emission vehicles from April 2028.

The Cabinet Member Climate Emergency said he and the climate team had worked hard with the licensing team, to ensure the policy will help the taxi industry through this transition, noting advances in electric vehicle technology and the need for fairness in working with the trade. He was pleased that Gloucester and Tewkesbury are in agreement, and said he would take the policy to the Climate Leadership Gloucestershire group to encourage Cotswold District Council to join them.  He was also pleased to note that a review is scheduled for 2028 and was confident that the price of electric vehicles will have come down by then, make them a viable and economic option for taxis.

The Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities welcomed his comments and support, and agreed that with technology advancing, prices falling, and the range increasing, it is wise to continue monitoring progress on a regular basis, and to work closely with the trade to support them on this journey.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    the revised wording in relation to the 2030 target date for emissions, as laid out in paragraph 4.3, is adopted;

2.    the revised wording is incorporated into the Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policy and that the document is adopted at the December Full Council meeting.