Taxi Driver Online

Big hike in taxi licence fee: Think again call to North East Lincolnshire Council

MORE than 200 taxi drivers have called on North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) to think again before imposing a hike of up to 38 per cent in their licence fee.

Susan Barss, chairman of new association Taxis For Change, handed in a petition of more than 200 signatures from drivers concerned about the change.

At a meeting of NELC's Licensing and Community Protection Committee, members heard drivers' licence fees for private hire and hackney carriage vehicles could rise from £75.21 to up to £104.

Mrs Barss told the Grimsby Telegraph that many of them had not been aware of the planned increase until they were told of it by the group.

She said: "NELC is proposing to put the fees up by 38 per cent in one go.

"The 28 day consultation period runs out this week, so we wanted to raise our objection in good time.

"We have two aims. The first is to get the raise halted for a year, so we have time to prepare for it.

"If the council will not agree to this, we ask them to make it possible for drivers to pay the fee in instalments, as you would pay your council tax, instead of having to pay it out in one lump sum."

Mrs Barss added she was concerned drivers had not been officially informed of the plan by the council.

She said: "No one has received a formal letter about it.

"NELC did put a notice about the consultation in the paper, but not everyone will have seen it.

"People would be getting a shock when their renewal came through and wondering why it was happening."

Councillor Hazel Chase, portfolio holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, said the proposal was part of a drive to minimise the impact of government cuts to NELC's budget.

She also said the fees had not been raised since 2011, with a previous proposed raise deferred until this year.

She said: "The new proposed charging structure means we can cover administration and operational costs associated with hackney carriage and private hire licensing and keep it running efficiently.

"Fees have not changed since September 2011 and we deferred a proposed rise last year.

"The council is dealing with government-imposed cuts of up to £76 million and we will continue to review the fees annually to try to ensure full cost recovery.

"Anyone who wishes to make an objection to the proposed changes should do so in writing to the address below by Friday.

"The petition will be considered in line with the usual process."

Anyone wishing to make an official comment on the proposals must write to Hackney Carriage Fees, Marc Cole, Strategic Director Places, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 IHU by Friday.


Read more: http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/NELC- ... z2xdGdr3TQ

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

Easy answer you put it up.............we shut the town down sat night you watch the drunks trash the town

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All posts by this contributor are made in a strictly personal capacity

I AM PROUD TO BE A CITIZEN NOBODY'S SUBJECT http://www.republic.org.u

F88K EM ALL WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

BOOZE BOOZE BOOZE

Councillors' 'sympathy' for taxi drivers in North East Lincolnshire over fees hike


COUNCILLORS have expressed sympathy towards "hard-pressed" taxi drivers facing a 38 per cent increase in their licence fees.

A special meeting of North East Lincolnshire Council's Licensing And Community Protection Committee took place to discuss a petition opposing the plan.

The committee had previously voted to implement the increase – the first from since 2011 – which will see fees for private hire and hackney carriage vehicles rising from £75.21 to £104.

However, that decision was subject to a 28-day consultation period, in which the petition, containing more than 200 signatures, was lodged, as reported.

Susan Barss, chairman of Taxis For Change, the group which organised the petition, told the meeting that the redevelopment work taking place in Grimsby town centre was having a big impact on drivers' earnings.

She called on the council to defer the increase or to allow drivers to pay monthly by Direct Debit to spread the cost throughout the year.

"We are aware that an increase is due. All we are asking for is a reprieve of either six or 12 months. Many drivers are out there fighting for rank spaces due to changes in the town centre.

"If the 12 months can't be done please give us six months to allow the works to be done to make the ranks more visible and viable. If a reprieve is not viable maybe there could be a way of paying monthly."

Councillor Steve Norton (Con, Humberston & New Waltham) said: "Personally, I don't think it is unreasonable to do something in favour of the drivers because clearly the Top Town alterations are causing problems.

"There is an acceptance that there's got to be an increase and I just think it would be the right thing to do at this moment in time to agree to one of the options."

Councillor Terry Thurogood (Lab, Croft Baker) said he was "sympathetic" to the plight of "hard-pressed" taxi drivers.

He said: "The council's financial position is not one where we could agree to defer this charge. I have a lot of sympathy for the request for Direct Debit payments. I pay my council tax monthly by Direct Debit. I don't see much difference between what the taxi drivers are asking for and what we expect from all other council tax payers."

Asked if introducing a Direct Debit system of payment would be feasible, the council's head of public protection John Seale said he had made enquiries with the authority's finance department and was awaiting a response.

Licensing manager Adrian Moody said introducing such a scheme would definitely incur additional administration costs, but could not say how much these would be.

The committee agreed to delegate authority to make the final decision to council officers and committee chairman Matthew Patrick.


Read more: http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Counc ... z2zLntbqvg

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

That will be a no then.

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IDFIMH

It is less "delegate" and more "abdicate" the decision IMHO.

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Chris The Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdlyi5mc ... re=related

I know times are difficult but is £28.79 that hard to find between now and whenever the increase is implemented.

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

They're lucky. My Shepway fee for the car is £324 a year!!

Kin El. only £104?.....im moving

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Of all the things ive lost, i miss my mind the most