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More proof of inbreeding in rural England
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Author:  captain cab [ Thu Aug 08, 2013 7:43 am ]
Post subject:  More proof of inbreeding in rural England
Council leader tackles community transport claims as Fenland councillor and taxi driver calls for Government probe

A COUNCILLOR and spokesman for Fenland’s taxi, private hire and mini bus hire operatives has called for a Government regulatory body to probe community transport operator FACT

Councillor David Patrick has submitted a dossier to the northern intelligence unit of the Government’s Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA) in which he alleges malpractice.

Cambridgeshire County Council leader Martin Curtis questioned tonight whether Cllr Patrick and his colleagues had “acknowledged that FACT changed their constitution to deal with some of these concerns?”

He also said he has offered to meet Cllr Patrick to discuss his concerns “and I have tried to set up a meeting and have had no response.”

Tonight’s call by Cllr Patrick for an inquiry is the most dramatic move yet in an increasingly bitter war of words with FACT, the fast expanding Fenland Association for Community Transport.

Cllr Patrick and many of his taxi driver colleagues insist the growth is being unfairly funded by grants from Fenland District Council, town and parish councils, Cambridgeshire County Council and a host of local and national charities.

They also question why an audit of FACT by Fenland Council and promised in April following conciliatory all party talks hosted by MP Steve Barclay, has not been published.

Last week this paper submitted Freedom of Information questions also asking for information about the audit.

However tonight a spokesman for Fenland Council said the implication there were to do “a full-scale audit of the whole organisation and the way it operates” was wrong.

The spokesman said: “In fact, the scope is much more limited - it is simply to check whether FACT is complying with the requirements on passengers’ eligibility to use the Dial-a-Ride services. We have been doing sample checks.”

They also denied a claim by Cllr Patrick that they had refused to give him a copy.

“The report is not quite finished,” said a spokesman. “When it is it’ll be shared with him and with all the other parties involved- apparently, it’s likely to be ready in a week or so.”

Fenland Council licensing officer Kim Winterton had, however, hinted at a more comprehensive audit earlier this year. She said the audit at FACT’s Hostmoor offices would be “to ensure there is no cross over into private hire” under the terms of a 1976 Act of Parliament.

Mr Barclay had convened a ‘summit’ with both district and county council representatives present to hear taxi drivers’ concerns.

He later wrote to Ms Winterton noting agreement had been reached for an audit that would check memberships are being strictly adhered to and that ‘dial a ride’ funding is ring fenced and not used to cross subsidise other parts of FACT’s work.

Mr Barclay revealed that FACT had also agreed to cease advertising in the Thomson Directory “or suggest through their branding on vehicles that it offers luxury travel.”

He said that the county council had also agreed to review the validity of FACT being permitted to tender for school transport contracts. Through grants and concessionary fare payments FACT secures considerable additional funding from the county council.

THIS WEEK’S CAMBS TIMES REPORTS ON THE DOSSIER SENT BY TAXI DRIVERS IN FENLAND TO A GOVERNMENT REGULATORY BODY.

http://www.elystandard.co.uk/news/counc ... _1_2323842
Author:  Sussex [ Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More proof of inbreeding in rural England
captain cab wrote:
A COUNCILLOR and spokesman for Fenland’s taxi, private hire and mini bus hire operatives has called for a Government regulatory body to probe community transport operator FACT

Councillor David Patrick has submitted a dossier to the northern intelligence unit of the Government’s Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA) in which he alleges malpractice.

They must really love him. \:D/
Author:  edders23 [ Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More proof of inbreeding in rural England
the trouble is them fenland boggitts are able to escape I spotted a fenland plated vehicle in mcdonalds in Stamford the other week :lol:

Seriously though this bloke never seems to give up although i have noticed the weekly trips to Stamford market on a friday seem to have stopped in fact none of the community transport vehicles was seen last friday so the fenland Thrapston and Corby vehicles are all staying away at the moment so maybe he is having an effect
Author:  roythebus [ Thu Aug 08, 2013 11:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More proof of inbreeding in rural England
I doubt if you'll see many over their minibuses on the road after September after they find their drivers need a CPC!! :D

It appears more counties are finding CT groups are operating ILLEGALLY.
Author:  captain cab [ Tue Sep 10, 2013 1:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More proof of inbreeding in rural England
FACT AUDIT VERDICT

The Fenland Association for Community Transport (FACT) is complying with all the necessary rules and regulations governing its procedures and is not operating as a private hire business.

That is the conclusion of an audit carried out by Fenland District Council at the request of local MP Stephen Barclay following a meeting held to discuss concerns raised by local taxi drivers.

The audit established that FACT was sticking to all the rules regarding its membership criteria and application process and that its practice and procedures did not cross over into legislation covering private vehicle hire.

The full audit can be seen as a download at http://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/2714/ ... ideService

http://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/la ... -1-5433109
Author:  bloodnock [ Tue Sep 10, 2013 2:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More proof of inbreeding in rural England
:-# authorities are just to scared to dispute or criticise anything or anybody involving the words "Charity or Volunteers", such groups are untouchable and they know it... :-#
Author:  roythebus [ Tue Sep 10, 2013 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More proof of inbreeding in rural England
Wait until the full report comes out from the EU fairly soon. Payback time, literally, for the CT Groups who've had illegal state funding for years.
Author:  bloodnock [ Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: More proof of inbreeding in rural England
roythebus wrote:
Wait until the full report comes out from the EU fairly soon. Payback time, literally, for the CT Groups who've had illegal state funding for years.


I so hope your right...It might restore what little faith i have in the EU.
Author:  edders23 [ Wed Sep 11, 2013 6:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: More proof of inbreeding in rural England
captain cab wrote:
FACT AUDIT VERDICT

The Fenland Association for Community Transport (FACT) is complying with all the necessary rules and regulations governing its procedures and is not operating as a private hire business.

That is the conclusion of an audit carried out by Fenland District Council at the request of local MP Stephen Barclay following a meeting held to discuss concerns raised by local taxi drivers.

The audit established that FACT was sticking to all the rules regarding its membership criteria and application process and that its practice and procedures did not cross over into legislation covering private vehicle hire.

The full audit can be seen as a download at http://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/2714/ ... ideService

http://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/la ... -1-5433109



Disapointing !
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