John Davies wrote:
Put these date in your diary. June 24th 25th. Thats when Mr Shamin Raja appeals to the crown court against his conviction for displaying an illuminated roof sign on the streets of Manchester.
Chit I hate replying to my own posts but I have to correct a few facts.
The case in Question is in the Magistrates court on the 24th 25th June. It is an appeal in the name of Mr Shamin Raja agaisnt Manchester City Councils decision on the 24th november 2003 to ammend certain licensing conditions including the removal of roof signs. As previously stated Mr Raja is the front man for the PHOA.
Appearing in court as witnesses for the council will be the Manchester TODA chairman GS and PC of the GMBU.
This is a new appeal against the coucnil decision on 24th nov 2003 and has nothing to do with the previous case, which as I understand was finally dealt with in the high court on Jan 17th 2004.
Mr. Raja dropped the said appeal over illuminated roof signs with costs being awarded to Manchester council.
Here are the minutes of the meeting on 24th November so as not to confuse anyone.
Licensing and Appeals Committee
24 November 2003
Acting under Delegated Authority
Present:
Councillor Andrews - In the Chair
Councillors Ashley, Burns, Donaldson, Evans, Fry, Lyons, O'Callaghan, Reid and Ukairo.
Decision.
LAP/03/80 Conditions for private hire vehicles
Members received a report concerning requests for amendments to the conditions of private hire vehicles in respect of:
1. The colour of vehicles
2. The use of roof signs
3. The identification stickers to be affixed to the vehicle
Members of the Manchester Private Hire Operators Association, their legal representative and representatives of the hackney carriage trade attended the meeting and made representations.
Decision
1. That the colour of vehicles will be white or silver.
2. That roof signs remain prohibited. The Committee said that they had reviewed the arguments for prohibition and considered the representations made to them for the re-introduction of the roof signs but remained of the view that the reason for prohibition were valid and took precedence.
3. To retain the existing stickers on the bonnet and rear window. To replace the signs on the front nearside and offside wings with stickers on the front doors as suggested by the Manchester Private Hire Operators Association. To replace the stickers on the inside top corner of each of the 3 passenger windows with a small triangular shaped sticker on the front windscreen concerning insurance again as suggested by the Manchester Private Hire Operators Association.