Taxi Driver Online
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/

Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18221		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Jasbar [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 12:34 am ]
Post subject:  Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Who's bright idea was it to change tariff 4 back at midnight rather than 6am?

Given City and Central meganumpties were driving the tariff change, it was their pet expert who came up with it, what was their rationale?

And who was consulted about such a fundamental change?

Revellers going out and back with different tariffs. The trade is a laffing stock. The council just more of a joke than ever.

Wasn't the whole trade entitled to express a view rather than just the few company bozos with their noses buried up the ars* of RegCom councillors?

And what was the council legal department doing allowing this to happen without proper consultation.

It is already deficient because the information used to decide about the tariff wasn't generated by them. They swallowed the shecht from their bumboys in the companies because they incompetently failed to operate within their legal obligations and conduct the study themselves.

It is clearer by the day that it's the companies running the show, the council just bending over forwards to take whatever they're given. And that is blatant council corruption. And once again it is the drivers who have to pay the price for more autocratic incompetence.

The council agreed a PH tariff, then allowed the goalposts to be moved forcing them out of step with the taxi tariff and in danger of breaching the Law. Given the influence the council allows the two companies to have over its policy making and the privileges it accords them, it is entirely reasonable, likely probable, that the council deliberately coerced with the companies to create a potential difficulty for a commercial competitor. Let them deny this. They can do so here.

This is NOT what councils are supposed to be doing!!!!!

The legal department in CEC is widely known to be incompetent, devious and/or corrupt. Probable all three.

Sue Bruce has now been in position long enough to know what's been going on. She has singularly failed to rein in her own departments' political corruption and incompetence.

Sue, it's YOUR fault. It's all down to you. You can hide no longer.

If you're not prepared to address the disgrace that is all things taxi licensing in Edinburgh, then it's long overdue for you to move on.

And long overdue for a responsible Scottish Parliament to deal with the excesses of this council which is clearly out of control, operationally, politically and morally.

Who wants to live in an independent corrupt Scotland?
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Council condemned for spending thousands on staff jollies

STAFF at Edinburgh Council blew £6,500 on team-building sessions despite the mounting trams fiasco, it emerged today.

Officials signed up for a £2,500 trip to an outdoor centre only to have to fork out a big cancelation fee when they summoned back for tram talks.

On another occasion, workers were treated to a treasure hunt which cost £850.

The figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, were condemned today by taxpayers’ groups.

The council has attracted UK-wide criticism for spending almost £1bn on a tram system that is years late and much less extensive than promised.

But that has not stopped city hall chiefs approving several team-building exercises at public expense.

In October this year, staff were booked on a two-day trip to the Lagganlia outdoor centre in the Cairngorms, costing £2,500.

But the trip had to be abandoned – incurring a £700 cancelation charge – after it clashed with mediation talks over the trams fiasco.

The same month, the e-government department organised a £867.50 Treasure Hunt for 30 council staff at a city venue.

Figures show department bosses spent thousands of pounds indulging staff with food and drinks and organising motivational days out throughout the year.

Much of the expenditure came from the city’s development department, which spent £4715 in just 12 months.
Campaigners battling to save threatened facilities in the city today hit out at the costs and criticised the council for inappropriate spending.

The city’s Conservative spokesman on economic development , Jason Rust, said: “Taxpayers are having a tough time and treasure hunts in Edinburghand visits to the Cairngorms may, without more clarification, appear to be unnecessary, or inappropriate.”

Miraj Ali, who led the unsuccessful campaign to keep a city leisure centre open, said: “It’s very disappointing when they close key community facilities, then still spend money on silly things like this.

“It’s a shame because a lot of people in the area just don’t go to the gym now, and it was more than a leisure centre, it was a community space.”

Gavin Corbett, a high-profile campaigner against school cuts, said: “I’ve no problem with the council wanting to build stronger teams that will benefit the community, but they should do this by going into schools or local charities.”
Lothians Conservative MSP, Gavin Brown, added: “We live in a time where all council services are under pressure and with many under threat.

“Therefore every public pound needs to be spent wisely. The council needs to explain why this money was spent on treasure hunts and team building instead of vital public services.”

Edinburgh Council has defended its spending, pointing out it is lower than in recent years.

Philip Barr council head of human resources said: “Development events can be an important way for helping to improve team performance.

“However, as the figures show, the amount of money spent on these has decreased and remains very small considering the size of the council.”

Short URL: http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/?p=40773
Author:  Sussex [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Can you imagine the ruck if the amount this council had spunked in legal fees defending taxi quotas was ever published?

£250,000? £500,000? Anyone care to guess?
Author:  Jasbar [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 2:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Sussex wrote:
Can you imagine the ruck if the amount this council had spunked in legal fees defending taxi quotas was ever published?

£250,000? £500,000? Anyone care to guess?


Sounds like a question that needs to be asked.

However, before this, anyone care to suggest what the question should be? can we write it in a way that they can't duck the questiuon?

Suggestions please?
Author:  Skull [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Jasbar wrote:
Sussex wrote:
Can you imagine the ruck if the amount this council had spunked in legal fees defending taxi quotas was ever published?

£250,000? £500,000? Anyone care to guess?


Sounds like a question that needs to be asked.

However, before this, anyone care to suggest what the question should be? can we write it in a way that they can't duck the questiuon?

Suggestions please?


A detailed breakdown of all legal costs incurred by the C.E.C. as a consequence of taxi licence applications refused by the Regulatory Committee (RC), resulting in appeals through the courts?

Take the FOI, request as far back as Salteri et al starting with Sheriff Liddle, and then cherry pick what you want. :-|
Author:  Jasbar [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Problem is, if you overegg the pudding, the council claims the cost is prohibitive and can duck out of answering the question.

What we need is a succint info request that they can't refuse to answer on these grounds.
Author:  Skull [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Jasbar wrote:
Problem is, if you overegg the pudding, the council claims the cost is prohibitive and can duck out of answering the question.

What we need is a succint info request that they can't refuse to answer on these grounds.



Nah this is about a payment of fees that have already gone through their accounting procedures. It's simply about producing a breakdown of the legal bill for each case, and that should be on record anyway. I doubt they would get away with claiming the cost was prohibitive. If they force an appeal to the commissionaire it just goes to show they are being awkward or have something to hide. :-|
Author:  Skull [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
You could also make separate FOI requests for each case appealed through the courts. If they don't oblige one way, they can't, then refuse the other on the same grounds. That would be ludicrous. :-|
Author:  Fairplay [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Who has or ever will be held accountable for the 1 Billion spent on the Trams ?. Will F.O.I. requests achieve anything ?. Waste o’ time..
Author:  Skull [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Fairplay wrote:
Who has or ever will be held accountable for the 1 Billion spent on the Trams ?. Will F.O.I. requests achieve anything ?. Waste o’ time..


Well, that depends on the cost and what the public think about the council fighting to protect them from more taxis. :)
Author:  Fairplay [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
What did the Public think of the Trams ?
Author:  Skull [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Fairplay wrote:
What did the Public think of the Trams ?


You make a fair point, but one might say, it's about catching the mood off the moment. :wink:
Author:  Jasbar [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Splitting it into individual requests could incur a claim by the council of vexatious requests. Another ground for refusal. All appealable of course, but a tactic to kick it into the long grass.

But we can make complaint nevertheless and the request will be made.

But also a formal complaint about Sue Bruce. The buck stops with her.
Author:  Fairplay [ Wed Jan 04, 2012 11:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
I’ve got nothing but admiration for individuals & groups who fight tirelessly to expose injustices. The Lawrence family being the most recent example. But, there as some people who have their own agendas, want to convince us, that they are seeking justice... I don’t buy it, and I think the Council wouldn’t entertain it either. Anyway, even if there had have been as many Public enquiries as some people would have liked, they still wouldn’t have been happy unless the outcome had went their way. Seeking Justice ?... Do me a favour..

Btw.. It's not just the Derestrictionists that think they get a raw deal !
Author:  Jasbar [ Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Midnite tariff change - Trade or Council stupidity
Fairplay wrote:
I’ve got nothing but admiration for individuals & groups who fight tirelessly to expose injustices. The Lawrence family being the most recent example. But, there as some people who have their own agendas, want to convince us, that they are seeking justice... I don’t buy it, and I think the Council wouldn’t entertain it either. Anyway, even if there had have been as many Public enquiries as some people would have liked, they still wouldn’t have been happy unless the outcome had went their way. Seeking Justice ?... Do me a favour..

Btw.. It's not just the Derestrictionists that think they get a raw deal !


Of course, I'm not looking for your justice. because you have no concept of justice beyond your vested interest.

Nothing wrong with that, for you of course. But not for others who despise your vested interest and how you want to use it to exercise unfair control over them.

But I am working for my idea of justice. And that is simply equality. Not superiority, just equality. I just want the same opportunity that 75% of other cabbies throughout the UK have. Nothing more. Nothing less.

And it wrankles that Edinburgh is a last bastion of unfairness. Not a city to be proud to live in.

Experience has shown me that the driver denied the right to drive his own vehicle is ALWAYS at the bottom of the trade food chain. And all those who argue against fairness do so because they want to keep such cabbies precisely where they are. Cannon fodder slaves for the owners to feed off.

=D> for those stupid enough to put up with this, eh?
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/