Taxi Driver Online

New policy leaves Rossendale taxi drivers concerned


TAXI drivers in Rossendale have expressed concern over the introduction of a new policy covering their licences.

A draft policy, setting out the council’s views on private hire operators within the borough, is to be approved by councillors later this month.

The document covers measures that relate to the licensing of drivers, vehicles and taxi operators that the council and firms must adhere to.

But the controversial ‘penalty points scheme’, which saw more than 160 taxi drivers stage a protest on the Town Hall car park last October, has been shelved.

Rossendale Taxi Association has sent a letter to the council citing a number of concerns about the policy. Drivers are concerned about issues such as having to retake their DSA test if they get six penalty points, dress codes and tests on vehicles.

Glenn Bulcock, chairman of the association, said: “We have a lot of concerns about the policy. We will be challenging around 50 per cent of it.

“Around 100 drivers could be attending the meeting and we will raise our concerns to the council then.”

Stuart Sugarman, Rossendale Coun-cil’s director of business, said: “Rossendale Council does not have a written taxi licensing policy nor any published procedures outlining how it deals with various aspects of vehicle, driver and operator licensing. There are, of course, procedures in place.”

The licensing committee will consider the new policy at its next meeting on Monday.

source: http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/

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

Taxi drivers threatening strikes over council's licensing policy, againJanuary 20, 2011



Taxi strikes in Rossendale are back on the table over the introduction of a new policy covering their licences.

The Taxi Licensing Policy, setting out the council’s views on private hire operators within the borough, will be decided at a Policy Overview and Scrutiny committee on Monday evening.

The document covers measures that relate to the licensing of drivers, vehicles and taxi operators to which the council and firms must adhere .

Last October, the council backed down in the face of threatened weekend strikes and town centre blockades over the planned introduction of a penalty points scheme covering 34 misdemeanours.

The penalty points scheme was scrapped after over 150 cabbies took to the streets to protest.

Cabbies leaders now say they are again “very concerned” over a number of measures within the policy and have threatened to strike unless they are amended or removed completely.

The Rossendale Taxi Association sent a letter to the council listing a number of concerns about the policy including: having to retake their Driving Standard Agency (DSA) test if they get six penalty points, a dress code, charging for tests on vehicles and vehicle age limits.

Glenn Bulcock, chairman of the association, said: “We are very concerned about the new licensing policy and it will affect taxi drivers ability to make a living.

“About 50 per cent of the stuff included in the policy has never been discussed so we will be going on Monday to challenge it and we will just have to see what the outcome is.

“We will be strongly represented at the meeting and there will be about 100 drivers there.

“We can't have conditions like that imposed on our living. The council have had ample opportunity to listen to us and the policy has been looked at for the past nine months.

“They have a golden opportunity to try and get the policy right this time as it will be the conduct and licensing scheme in Rossendale for the next five or six years.

“To even look at the possibility of controlling our licences is completely ridiculous. Hopefully we will get the policy either delayed or thrown out.”

Mr Bulcock confirmed that unless changes are made to the policy drivers could go on strike “within weeks”.

He said: “Strikes will happen. If it goes through in its current form and our suggestions are not followed or we feel the laws are too harsh for the trade then we could strike within weeks.

“If common sense prevails and they listen to our concerns then we won't take action but we are strongly prepared to strike should the policy go through as it is.”

Stuart Sugarman, the council’s director of business, said: “Making threats to go on strike at this stage is not helpful. Councillors will give full consideration to all of the issues when they meet on Monday evening at the Licensing Committee.

“The taxi drivers will be fully represented at the meeting and given extended speaking rights to state their case.”

The licensing committee will consider the new policy at its next meeting on Monday, January 24.

source: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/

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

I take it these are the 4 main points that they don't lik but what are the others is there any link to find out?

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

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

http://www.rossendale.gov.uk/downloads/ ... ndix_B.pdf

CC

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

Perhaps I'm missing something, but, on a quick read of these documents I don't see any real problems with them. Perhaps the age limit on purpose built taxis could be better and perhaps the points system for a retake of a DSA is a little low.

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!