The Committee is asked to approve the minutes of the last meeting.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the last meeting be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director Corporate Services and Governance

The Committee received a report detailing licensing related appeals and prosecutions during the period 6 February 2018 to 2 March 2018.

RESOLVED - that the information be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report which detailed suspension and revocations that have taken place during the period 6 February and 2 March 2018.

RESOLVED - that the information be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report on Air Quality Grant, improving emissions from Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles.

The Council bid for and received Air Quality Grant funding in January 2017 from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to support the development and implementation of a range of measures that would help deliver compliance with UK air pollution targets in the shortest possible time.

One project area was to consider opportunities for improving emissions from Hackney Carriage (HC) and Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) licensed by Gateshead Council via changes to licensing policy. This coincided with the Regulatory Committee’s wish for a wider review of Vehicle Licensing Policy (including emission standards) which was reported on 14 December 2016.

AECOM were commissioned in June 2017 to undertake a review of Vehicle Licensing best practice as well as an associated consultation with HC and PHV drivers and PHC operators. Learning from the experience and best practice elsewhere will be vital in determining lessons for potential application in Gateshead.

The Council declared an AQMA in April 2005 within Gateshead Town Centre. This was extended to the south along Durham Road in April 2008. This remains in force. The Council were formally notified in February 2011 by DEFRA that they along with Newcastle City Council and North Tyneside, were to be named in the National Air Quality Plan for Nitrogen Dioxide as local authorities where it was anticipated that there would be continuing exceedances of European air quality limits beyond 2020. All three authorities were formally issued with a mandatory direction by DEFRA in July 2017, to introduce a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) and undertake a feasibility study to identify options that will deliver compliance with the legal limits of nitrogen dioxide in the shortest possible time and before 2021.

The DEFRA Direction has provided a pressing need for action to be ‘stepped up’ to tackle air pollutions ‘exceedances’ in some parts of our area. This includes areas of the A1 in Dunston and Swalwell as well as the Tyne Bridge. The feasibility plan will address the issue of air quality across the whole area, not just the specific exceedance sites identified in the three local authority areas. The plan will also represent the start of a longer term journey towards the vision of low emissions through active travel, greater use of and cleaner public transport and reduced congestion.

It is acknowledged that HC and PHVs provide a vital mode for communities, offering a flexible form of public transport when other modes are unsuitable or unavailable. HC and PHV trips tend to include a high proportion of short journeys concentrated in small areas, contributing significantly to total vehicle miles travelled in an area. This means that in many towns and cities, HC and PHV emissions are a key source of pollutants, especially as many are large, diesel powered saloon cars.

Encouraging the uptake of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) amongst licensed drivers and operators can be particularly effective in improving air quality,  ...  view the full minutes text for item RC172

Presentation and update by Tim Briton, Solicitor

RESOLVED – that the information be noted

Presentation and update by Tim Briton, Solicitor

RESOLVED – that the information be noted

The Committee may wish to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds indicated:-

Item No                                                           Paragraphs of Schedule 12A to the

                                                                        Local Government Act 1972

7                                                                                              7                     

8                                                                                             7

RESOLVED - that the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during

                        consideration of the remaining business in accordance with                                     paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

RESOLVED – that the summaries of decisions from last committee be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director Communities and Environment

            Reference                                                      Issue

1.            RC/05/18                                                         Grant of a Dual Driver Licence

2.         RC/08/18                                                         Grant of a Dual Driver Licence