Taxi Driver Online

11 September 2009
By Aisha Iqbal
EXCLUSIVE
LEEDS'S taxi licensing boss has been suspended.
Des Broster, who heads up Leeds City Council's taxi licensing section, is the subject of an internal city council investigation.

No official reason for his suspension has yet been given.

It comes at a time when his department has faced mounting criticism over its implementation of new rule changes.

Concerns over the handling of taxi contracts for private hire companies have also been raised.

Leeds East MP Fabian Hamilton said he had been concerned for some time about taxi licensing in Leeds and is calling for a full investigation of the whole department.

"I am concerned to hear that a senior officer who runs the service has been suspended," he said.

"I would like clarification from the council about what is going on."
Paul Landau, from the Leeds Hackney Drivers' Association, said: "We have had concerns regarding the vehicle licensing department for over 18 months since our association was born.

"On April 20 we sent a letter to the chairman of the regulatory committe outlining our concerns about this department.

"In 2008 we handed in a petition with over 500 signatures in relation to (drivers] not being happy with the way the department is being run."

Earlier this year, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported drivers were demanding Mr Broster's resignation, claiming he was trying to push through new lower age limits for cars without properly consulting them.

Ahead of a consultation meeting at Pudsey Civic Hall, 500 drivers tried to pack into a room designed for just 60 people.

Mr Broster has presided over tough new rules for cabbies, including introducing new knowledge tests and an NVQ qualification in taxi and private hire skills.

He has also been a vocal critic of the quality of some of Leeds's taxi services.

Last year, while launching the new knowledge test, Mr Broster said: "This is not about putting drivers under pressure to pass exams – this is all about us, as a council, helping drivers gain the skills they need to do their job better and provide a higher standard of service to the general public."

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said: "A member of staff has been suspended while an investigation takes place.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further while the investigation is underway."

Earlier this year, taxi unionists wrote a strongly worded letter to Stuart Turnock, the council's chief officer of licensing to demand an urgent meeting.

The letter said there was "now a complete lack of trust between drivers and licensing and we ask you to involve yourself in this situation before the situation escalates".

Much of the groundwork done to uncover this disgraceful affair was carried out by the members of the GMBpdb in Leeds, The membership showed solidarity in mounting this campaign and were led by the regional officer Mr Chard and his staff "CONGRATULATIONS "WELL DONE to all those involved.

_________________
GMB PDB London Branch President
Vice-chair National Organising Committee
07956-884076
www.gmbpdb.org.uk
AFFORDABLE CCTV FOR EVERY LICENSED DRIVER
www.gmbpdb.org.uk/gmb-cctv.htm

Is the Smith envelope disease spreading ,Dundee has it bad

It shows if you keep pushing you can get something done well done to everyone concerned

Latest odds from Boybrokes Bookmakers:

6 to 4 on ...... Its a Golden Handshake and pension for life

2 to 1 ...... Gets fired then sues for Compensation

3 to 1 ...... Moved to a lower position

5 to 1 ...... Resigns and takes up newer higher paid position at another council

100 to 1 ...... sacked with nothing but pension

500,000 to 1 ....... sacked but with no compensation or pension at all

Lets hope the new head will work with the GMB Private hire section and teach them the difference between hackney carriage and private hire, taxi ranks are for taxi's and not private hire, illegal plying for hire etc.

I presume none of the GMB private hire members do this though!!!!

I wonder how many asian councillors are in Leeds and how many asian licensed drivers?

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

The age criteria was based on 2 asians, 1 councillor & 1 ex-councillor electioneering.

Feeding false information.

After the meeting when they passed the age limit to 7 years then 2 mot's per year there after, they were still been told at 7 years they had to take their vehicles off when in reality as long as it passes the test it can stay on indefinitely.

The private hire complained they were earning less than minimum wage then, if the new section head does his job properly they will be earning even less.

Leeds city centre is now over run with private hire most nights of the week, parked outside all pubs, restaurants & takeaways.

They threaten the hackney carriage drivers, ignore traffic wardens and the police just say they haven't got time.

I can vouch for that having seen it with my own eyes, blimey its like rush hour in new Delly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUBAx8jbYNs&feature=related



CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YawagQ6l ... re=related

I think this ones more apropreate

pmsl....we agree

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Blimey whats happening That's CC Sussex , Doom Brum and even Jimbo agreeing with me over the last week
Have I been elected spokes person for something

Perhaps we're all begining to pull together for the common good and realise that I'm always right

No reply from D.Glave GMB then, I presume you wouldn't want to upset your paying members would you by working with the council to put a stop to the illegal plying for hire in Leeds.

CONGRATULATIONS "WELL DONE

It will be interesting to see how many of the "500" private hire members you have in 12 months time.

That will be the interesting bit......time will tell.

CC

_________________
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin