Existing Guildford taxi drivers no longer required to sit 'offensive' exams The new proposals will not be adopted until the full council discusses the changes next month
Existing taxi drivers in Guildford will not have to sit exams to keep their licence under new proposals after an amendment was made this week.
The borough council has proposed a raft of changes for Guildford’s taxi fleet, which includes a new livery that has been widely objected against, and had proposed asking all taxi drivers to undertake a BTECH exam.
However, following complaints from taxi drivers, Cllr Tony Phillips proposed to amend part of the proposal at the licensing committee meeting on Wednesday (November 18) exempting existing drivers from having to take new qualifications, which was approved.
Taxi driver, Paul Soper, said of the proposals for the new exams during the meeting: "I found it offensive when I got told if you do not do it you will not get a badge and put me out of the job."
The remaining recommendations were voted in favour of, including a new full wrap livery for the cars, which will cost drivers an estimated £935, and removing the requirement for taxis to have to be wheelchair accessible.
Guildford Borough Council has proposed a contribution of 25% of the rebrand costs of the 178 vehicles – a reduction from the 75% offered earlier this year.
The cost of the rebrand is thought to be £1,250 per vehicle, meaning car owners would be left with a bill of £935.
A further amendment was made to extend the period that the taxi drivers need to rebrand the car from six months of adoption of the new rules to seven months, to ensure drivers do not lose out on Christmas and New Year trade by having their cars out of action.
Speaking before this week's meeting, Mark Rostron, Guildford taxi driver and secretary of the Guildford Hackney Association, said: “We are entitled to the quiet enjoyment of our property and that includes our cars.
“In order for council interference with taxi drivers’ property to be permissible, it must not only serve a legitimate aim in the public interest – there must also be a reasonable relationship of proportionality between the means employed and the aim sought to be realised.
“A fair balance must be struck between the demands of the general interest of the community and the requirements of the protection of the individual’s fundamental rights.
“What the council proposes is neither necessary nor proportionate to the issues mentioned.”
The new policy recommendations will now go to the executive committee for discussion next week, before a full council meeting will sit to decide whether to adopt the changes or not on December 8.
Mr Rostron said that if the policy changes were adopted, the drivers would launch a judicial review.
source:
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey- ... o-10468185
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