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Following consideration, the Committee
unanimously resolved to:
(1)     
Consider the responses to the public consultation,
(2)     
Agree the changes to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire
Licensing Policy as follows; -
a)          
From 1 July 2024 licences will normally only be granted to vehicles
being licensed for the first time that meet the TFL Ultra Low
Emission Zone requirements (Petrol: Euro 4, Diesel: Euro 6). An
exception will be allowed until 1 January 2025 for proprietors of
licensed Euro 4 diesel vehicles that are replacing them with Euro 5
diesel vehicles.
b)          
From 1 January 2025 licences will not normally be renewed in
respect of any licensed diesel vehicle that does not meet or exceed
Euro 5 emission standards.
c)          
From 1 July 2026, licences will normally only be granted to
vehicles (including renewal of existing licences) that meet the TFL
Ultra Low Emission Zone requirements (Petrol: Euro 4 Diesel: Euro
6).
d)  
         Vehicles
that have been specially adapted [i.e., post manufacture] to carry
wheelchair users will be exempted from the emission
requirement.
e)   
         Vehicles
used for the completion of home to school transport under contract
from a County Council will be given a one-year extension to each of
the phased emission requirements.
f)    
         All
hackney carriages must be wheelchair accessible. Hackney Carriages
are no longer required to be purpose built/London style
‘black’ cabs. All non-purpose-built hackney carriages
will be required to display a ‘Taxi' sign of a minimum width
of 76.2cm with lettering of a minimum height of 12.7cm and bearing
the words 'Licensed by Epsom & Ewell Borough Council', capable
of being illuminated, to be mounted across the roof of the
vehicle.
(3)     
Agree that the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy
as set in Appendix 6 is recommended for approval at Full
Council