Agenda item

A report from the Executive Director (Corporate Core) is attached.

The Executive Director (Corporate Core) submitted a report advising Members on operational issues within the Licensing Service.

The report set out updates in respect of the following issues:

The Licensing Service had dealt with a number of compliance and enforcement matters

between July and the 28^th August 2026 in respect of clients and vehicles. A table in the report detailed this information.

LICENSING HEARINGS SUB- COMMITTEES

A number of Licensing Hearing Sub-Committees had taken place over the past few

months and these were listed within the report providing information on each

application and the decisions taken.

IMMEDIATE SUSPENSIONS

Following consultation with the Chair of the Licensing and Safety Committee, the

licensing Service had immediately suspended six drivers due to them no longer

being registered on the DBS update Service.

PRIVATE HIRE SUPPORT FUND

Members were advised that Bury Council was supporting the Greater Manchester

Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Support Fund, a regional initiative aimed at improving air

quality by assisting eligible private hire vehicle proprietors to replace older, non-

compliant vehicles with cleaner alternatives.

The £2 million fund would provide grants of up to £2,500 to eligible private hire vehicle

licence holders to replace non-compliant vehicles. The scheme is being administered by the Growth Company on behalf of the ten Greater Manchester local authorities.

The fund was targeted at proprietors of diesel-powered private hire vehicles first registered before the 1^st September 2015 that do not meet the required emissions standards. Eligible applicants will be able to apply for financial assistance towards the purchase of a compliant replacement vehicle, including zero-emission capable vehicles and vehicles meeting the required Euro emissions standards. Wheelchair accessible vehicles replaced through the scheme must be replaced with another wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Ahead of the fund opening in September 2026, Bury Council had issued communications to all licensed private hire vehicle proprietors to ensure that those who may be eligible are aware of the support available. Licence holders have been directed to an online eligibility checker and encouraged to begin considering suitable replacement vehicles were appropriate.

Once the fund opens, eligible applicants will be required to submit an application through a dedicated portal and provide the necessary supporting documentation. Successful applicants will receive a Fund Award Notification and will have four months to purchase and licence a compliant replacement vehicle before grant payment is released. The grant will be paid following submission of evidence that the replacement vehicle has been licensed with the local authority.

TRADE LIAISON MEETING

On the 7^th September 2026, the Licensing Service held a trade liaison meeting with the

Hackney and Private Trade. The Licensing Unit Manager added a verbal update to the

meeting:-

• Representatives attended from Bury Council, GMP and trade associations in attendance.
• GMP reported 22 taxi-related incidents across the previous three months, including 5 assaults, vehicle damage, racial abuse, bilking, theft of taxi plates and disturbances. GMP advised there was no identifiable increase linked to the World Cup.
• Concerns were raised regarding stolen taxi plates. Members reiterated the importance of reporting thefts to the police and obtaining a crime reference number prior to replacement plates being issued.
• Driver safety was discussed extensively, particularly assaults against licensed drivers. Trade representatives requested reconsideration of CCTV requirements in licensed vehicles, recognising that national minimum standards are expected to include CCTV provisions.
• Members supported refreshing and relaunching the "Respect the Driver" campaign, including consideration of vehicle signage warning passengers that violence, abuse and fare evasion may lead to prosecution.
• Concerns were raised regarding the use of e-bikes and e-scooters, including dangerous riding, pavement use and links to criminal activity. GMP advised enforcement remains intelligence-led and wider regulation would require national legislative change.

An update was provided on Clean Air funding:-

- 100% of eligible Bury Hackney Carriage proprietors have accepted available vehicle upgrade funding.

- A new Greater Manchester grant scheme will provide eligible private hire proprietors with a £2,500 non-repayable grant per vehicle.

- There are currently 21 non-compliant private hire vehicles identified within Bury.

• Trade representatives expressed concern regarding the 4 January 2027 emissions compliance deadline for private hire vehicles and requested consideration of an extension to allow sufficient time for vehicle replacement and grant applications.
• Officers advised that Bury's Convictions Policy is under review as part of Greater Manchester-wide work to align with Institute of Licensing Fitness and Propriety guidance and improve consistency across authorities.
• Members discussed reviewing the Council's Written-Off Vehicle Policy, particularly whether Category N and potentially Category S vehicles could be considered for licensing where independent assessments demonstrate safety and roadworthiness. Written comments from the trade have been requested to inform a future committee report.
• Ongoing concerns were raised about misuse of taxi ranks by private vehicles, particularly at Kay Gardens. Future meetings will include enforcement statistics and updates on action taken.
• National licensing developments were discussed, including:-

- National minimum licensing standards.

- Potential CCTV requirements.

- Wheelchair accessible vehicle quotas and registers.

- Driver accessibility training requirements.

- Future testing and compliance standards.

Members were advised that national standards are expected to form a minimum baseline, with councils retaining the ability to adopt stricter local requirements.

• The next Trade Liaison Group meeting would be arranged before the January 2027 emissions compliance deadline if possible.

The Licensing Unit Manager also reported on the following key Messages for the committee:-

• Strong uptake of Clean Air funding schemes continues to support fleet compliance.
• Driver safety, assaults on drivers and future CCTV requirements remain significant areas of concern for the trade.
• Policy reviews relating to convictions and written-off vehicles are progressing and may result in future committee reports.
• National developments in taxi and private hire regulation continue to be monitored and are likely to influence future local policy decisions.

A Member asked about the funding opening and the Licensing Unit Manager confirmed that an email had already been issued with further communications being sent in relation to making an application.

Upon questioning about the clean air scheme and written off vehicles, the Licensing Unit Manager reported that  future reports would be presented to the Committee to address these topics.

Delegated decision:

It was agreed that the report be noted.