On 30 September 2020, following a report from officers, the Licensing and Public Protection Committee agreed to defer the introduction of the requirement for all newly licensed Hackney Carriage and Private Hire vehicles from 1 January 2021 to 1 January 2026.

The requirements regarding the age policy are UNAFFECTED.

The reasons for this decision include the lack of availability of suitable vehicles on the market, as well as a lack of appropriate infrastructure to support the charging of ULEV vehicles and, of course recognises the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the trade.

Officers will bring a further report in 2024 to review the position again in advance of the 2026 implementation.

Members also agreed to defer the unmet demand survey – which considers the appropriateness of the moratorium on issuing NEW hackney carriage licences until next year, again in response to the impact on the current pandemic crisis on the trade.