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Bury Council considers EXTENDING private hire emissions deadline to May 2027 as 21 vehicles remain non-compliant
Bury Council is considering extending its private hire vehicle emissions compliance deadline from 4 January to 31 May 2027, potentially allowing 21 remaining non-compliant vehicles to continue operating while their owners arrange replacements.
The proposal appears in a report prepared for the council’s Licensing and Safety Committee meeting on Thursday 8 October. Officers recommend allowing affected vehicle proprietors to renew their licences beyond the existing deadline, subject to a condition requiring replacement with a compliant vehicle by the end of May.
The proposed extension follows the launch of Greater Manchester’s £2 million Private Hire Vehicle Support Fund on 15 September. The scheme offers eligible locally licensed vehicle proprietors grants of up to £2,500 towards replacing older vehicles with cleaner alternatives.
Council officers believe the period between the fund opening and the January compliance deadline may be insufficient for proprietors to secure grant approval, purchase suitable replacement vehicles and complete the licensing process.
Bury’s current standards require private hire vehicles to meet at least Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel emissions requirements. The proposed amendment would not change those standards but would extend the time available to existing proprietors operating vehicles that remain below them.
The report provides updated figures on the borough’s private hire fleet. In August 2024, 152 of 712 licensed vehicles were recorded as non-compliant, representing approximately 21% of the fleet.
By September 2026, the number had fallen to 21 vehicles out of 710, equivalent to approximately 3%. The remaining 689 vehicles were recorded as compliant.
The reduction means 131 fewer non-compliant vehicles are recorded than at the August 2024 baseline. However, the figures do not establish how many vehicles were replaced, upgraded or removed from the licensed fleet during that period.
Under the proposed arrangements, an existing owner whose non-compliant vehicle licence falls due for renewal after 4 January 2027 could submit a renewal application. Provided the vehicle passes the council’s compliance testing requirements, a licence could be granted with a condition requiring replacement by 31 May.
Failure to meet that final deadline could result in enforcement action, including suspension, revocation or refusal to renew the vehicle licence. Officers would retain discretion to consider individual circumstances.
The report also reveals that licensed trade representatives raised concerns about the original deadline during a Trade Liaison Group meeting on 7 September. Their concerns centred on the time needed to secure financial assistance and obtain replacement vehicles.
The wider Greater Manchester support scheme has eligibility restrictions. Applicants must meet requirements concerning their existing vehicle, licensing history and replacement vehicle. Grant payments are made after an approved replacement has been licensed, meaning proprietors may still need to arrange the initial purchase funding themselves.
The council has not established in its report how many of the 21 remaining non-compliant vehicle proprietors qualify for financial assistance or how many have already submitted applications.
Officers also reviewed emissions compliance arrangements across Greater Manchester. Their findings show substantial differences between authorities, with some permitting longer transition periods than others. Bury’s proposed May deadline would therefore remain considerably earlier than the August 2030 dates recorded for Bolton and Rochdale.
The Licensing and Safety Committee is scheduled to consider it on 8 October, with Full Council consideration listed for 11 November 2026.
