captain cab wrote:
According to officers, "any additional costs the council may incur in introducing some or all of the proposals, will need to be met by the trade".
Yeah thank you very much.
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| Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing http://www.taxi-driver.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=30590 |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Sun Jan 22, 2017 6:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing system could force up fees and fares Derby councillors have expressed shock that a new points-based checks system for taxi licensing in the city could lead to a doubling of licence fees and "inevitable higher fares" for the public It was revealed that almost £140,000 is needed to pay for five additional staff to run the system, which is meant to be self-funding and intended to stop rogue taxi drivers operating in Derby, at a meeting of the city council's licensing committee. The new system, affecting the city's 1,300 licensed taxi drivers, would see powers taken away from councillors and put into the hands of council officers, using a points-based system based on previous convictions. The meeting was intended to approve a long list of 14 additional proposals as part of the overhaul of the taxi licensing system, in readiness for its implementation on June 30. The points-based checks system had already been given the go-ahead at a meeting of the full council on November 23 last year. Approval for £138,500 to be spent on staffing, which was the last item at the end of almost three hours, led to councillors asking for more details and a business plan to be drawn up – throwing the new system into disarray. According to officers, "any additional costs the council may incur in introducing some or all of the proposals, will need to be met by the trade". Councillors were told by officers that one of the posts would be £52,000 to pay for a lawyer because it was anticipated that the number of appeals against licence refusal would increase and have to go before magistrates to be defended. They said this had happened in Leicester, which has a similar system, leading to a 350% increase in appeals, according to council officers. Eric Ashburner, Lib Dem councillor for Littleover, said that it looked as if the scheme would "double the cost" of licences for taxi drivers and Chris Poulter, Conservative councillor for Spondon, added: "This is a matter of serious concern. I imagine taxi licences will cost at least another £100 to have to pay for this new system and lead to inevitable higher fares." Fellow Tory councillor Mick Barker added: "So we come to the truth of the matter. At full council, we were told this would be easily put in place but it seems we have signed up to something that needs to be more resilient and robust. It has been built on a false premise." It was agreed by all the councillors present that officers should draw up a business plan because of the "massive implications for the taxi licence fees". The new system was originally introduced by Councillor Baggy Shanker, responsible for taxi licensing in the city, who said that it would "provide extra protection for the public". It came after a review was carried out following a damning report stating failings in Derby City Council's taxi licensing system. Expert auditors found that the authority's taxi licensing sub-committee had allowed licences for people with criminal records who had committed offences including "hate crime, harassment, intimidation and making improper comments to young women". In one instance, a taxi driver was granted a licence despite "publishing material threatening or intending to stir up religious/sexual hatred". In the new points-based system, criminal convictions for the most severe crimes including rape and murder will trigger an automatic lifetime disqualification. Other lesser crimes will accrue points on a sliding scale. Assault of a police officer, for example, would mean instant refusal for an applicant if it happened less than four years ago. But it would mean six points if committed five years ago, then five points for six years ago, four for seven years ago, and so on. Any applicant or existing driver who gets "above 12 points" would be disqualified. An alternative change would have seen council officers operate committees similar to the ones currently run by councillors. After the meeting, Mr Barker said: "The Conservative group was always concerned as to the workings of an officer-based administrative system including a change from member-led sub committees to an untried officer-led points system, which would attract extra staffing requirements. "It is now obvious that the extra costs, which will be passed on to the taxi trade, will raise serious concerns to drivers and operators alike and potentially cause them to register in cheaper authority areas - leaving Derby with limited control over taxi services." Other items, which were approved by the committee included; allowing licences to be renewed online; disclosure and barring checks (DBS) to be carried out by registered agencies; a requirement for new applicants to obtain a level one skills certificate in English, maths and IT; the introduction of a dress code; new applicants to source their own medical examination and the removal of the need for vehicles to have minimum luggage space. Mr Shanker said: "We are making these important changes to our licensing regime to make it simpler, transparent and robust. There will inevitably be an associated cost but I would also expect savings from not having to run certain aspects of the old system. "This, in my opinion, will be money well spent and money which will, in the main, have to be recouped from licence fees. On Thursday evening, members of our licensing committee considered the matter of resources, along with a number of other changes that the council asked them to do back in November. They have requested further information to be prepared for the next meeting in March." Previously, the Derby Telegraph revealed that more than 1,300 of the city's 2,800 cabbies were licensed with other authorities, such as Gedling, in Nottinghamshire, and Rossendale, in South Yorkshire. Mr Barker added: "We are in danger of pushing drivers too far in demanding extra exacting standards and extortionate fees which will lead them to seek registration elsewhere. That being the case, it undermines the ability of the city council to administer standards on both vehicles and drivers, which is to the detriment of our public that both we and the taxi trade serves." Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/shock-1 ... mgsDvZ2.99 |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sun Jan 22, 2017 7:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
captain cab wrote: According to officers, "any additional costs the council may incur in introducing some or all of the proposals, will need to be met by the trade". Yeah thank you very much.
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| Author: | Sussex [ Sun Jan 22, 2017 7:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
captain cab wrote: The points-based checks system had already been given the go-ahead at a meeting of the full council on November 23 last year. I wonder if the huge additional costs were mentioned then? 
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| Author: | edders23 [ Sun Jan 22, 2017 7:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
It was revealed that almost £140,000 is needed to pay for five additional staff to run the system, which is meant to be self-funding and intended to stop rogue taxi drivers operating in Derby, at a meeting of the city council's licensing committee. OK so that's £28000 per staff member  no wonder rates are so high if they pay that kind of money
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| Author: | captain cab [ Mon Jan 23, 2017 10:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
Quote: meant to be self-funding and intended to stop rogue taxi drivers operating in Derby 
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| Author: | MR T [ Mon Jan 23, 2017 11:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
How do people in charge of these departments get a pay rise? It is achieved by a review of how much responsibility they have ie how many people they are responsible for in their department. Five more staff will certainly take the departments level of responsibility up, thus gaining him a higher level on his pay grade and his pension will go up. The more red tape you create the more money you make. You will also probably find that the new staff are coming from within the council from departments which are downgrading because of the cut backs the council is having to make. Sidestepping from one department to another is better for them than being unemployed, but the licencing dept ends up with the staff that nobody wants. |
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| Author: | captain cab [ Mon Jan 23, 2017 11:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
MR T wrote: How do people in charge of these departments get a pay rise? It is achieved by a review of how much responsibility they have ie how many people they are responsible for in their department. Five more staff will certainly take the departments level of responsibility up, thus gaining him a higher level on his pay grade and his pension will go up. The more red tape you create the more money you make. You will also probably find that the new staff are coming from within the council from departments which are downgrading because of the cut backs the council is having to make. Sidestepping from one department to another is better for them than being unemployed, but the licencing dept ends up with the staff that nobody wants. empire building |
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| Author: | trotskys twin [ Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
edders23 wrote: It was revealed that almost £140,000 is needed to pay for five additional staff to run the system, which is meant to be self-funding and intended to stop rogue taxi drivers operating in Derby, at a meeting of the city council's licensing committee. OK so that's £28000 per staff member no wonder rates are so high if they pay that kind of money PEANUTS FFS I ACCEPT YOU CARROT CRUNCHING TAXI DRIVING IMBECILES EARN PEANUTS BUT FFS A UNIONISED COUNCIL WORKER  GETS THE NEGOTIATED RATE NO DOUBT INCLUDES SICK PAY. 6 WEEKS PAID HOLS COURTESY OF UNISION MEMBERS SHOWING SOME BOLLOX  MIND I WOULD WANT MORE £28000 THESE DAYS CAN BE IMPROVED ON  NEGOTIATING WHO REPPED THE DRIVERS IN THESE DISCUSSIONS ?? BOJO ????????????  
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| Author: | Nidge2 [ Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
MR T wrote: How do people in charge of these departments get a pay rise? They're members of the illuminati or are members of the dodgy handshake club. |
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| Author: | trotskys twin [ Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
Nidge2 wrote: MR T wrote: How do people in charge of these departments get a pay rise? They're members of the illuminati or are members of the dodgy handshake club. no their UNISON members demonstrating to you idiots what solidarity achieves
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| Author: | trotskys twin [ Wed Jan 25, 2017 11:45 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
trotskys twin wrote: Nidge2 wrote: MR T wrote: How do people in charge of these departments get a pay rise? They're members of the illuminati or are members of the dodgy handshake club. no their UNISON members demonstrating to you idiots what solidarity achieves THAT SHUT YOU BURKES UP DIDN'T IT ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION OF JUST HOW PATHETIC MOST OF YOU IMBECILES ARE UNITED YOU STAND [AND EARN AS DEMONSTRATED BY THESE UNISON MEMBERS] DIVIDED YOU FALL!! |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Wed Jan 25, 2017 9:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
trotskys twin wrote: THAT SHUT YOU BURKES UP DIDN'T IT ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION OF JUST HOW PATHETIC MOST OF YOU IMBECILES ARE UNITED YOU STAND [AND EARN AS DEMONSTRATED BY THESE UNISON MEMBERS] DIVIDED YOU FALL!! Are you on the wacky baccy? 
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| Author: | trotskys twin [ Thu Jan 26, 2017 5:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
Sussex wrote: trotskys twin wrote: THAT SHUT YOU BURKES UP DIDN'T IT ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION OF JUST HOW PATHETIC MOST OF YOU IMBECILES ARE UNITED YOU STAND [AND EARN AS DEMONSTRATED BY THESE UNISON MEMBERS] DIVIDED YOU FALL!! Are you on the wacky baccy? You know i do not smoke yer onor
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| Author: | edders23 [ Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
And an UPDATE story saying much the same really Taxi safety loopholes are to be closed after councils reached an historic agreement on safety. The move is aimed at ensuring Derby drivers who are licensed in the Nottingham borough of Gedling will have safety checks on their cars done here. Every year, large numbers of taxis are inspected by Derby's council licensing officers and since 2013, of the 852 cabs spot-checked, 299 of them were decommissioned with immediate effect until the problems were rectified - representing 35% of all taxis tested. But the Derby officers have been unable to inspect vehicles licensed by other councils such as Gedling Borough Council - which annually issue large numbers of licences - without an officer from that authority present. image: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/images/ ... s%203a.jpg Derby City Council is trying to ensure greater safety for passengers in roadworthy vehicles A loophole in the law allows drivers with a hackney carriage licence, who can pick up fares on the street, to operate as private hire drivers anywhere in the country. Private hire drivers are only permitted to pick up passengers who have made a prior booking, Councillors from Derby and Gedling have now agreed in principle to allow taxis that are licensed by the Nottinghamshire council to be inspected by Derby-based officers. The move was prompted by a letter from councillor Baggy Shanker, city council cabinet member for regulatory services, inviting several authorities affected by this loophole to work together more closely. The proposals are the latest in a series of measures due to be introduced to improve the regulation of taxi licensing in Derby, following recommendations made by the council's external auditors. It is thought that between 50 and 80 drivers regularly operating in Derby hold licences from Gedling Borough Council. image: http://tag-dyn.omnitagjs.com/fo-dyn/nat ... &play=true Mr Shanker said: "I am delighted that we have reached this agreement. The recent taxi licensing consultation showed a clear public appetite for addressing concerns about the number of vehicles and drivers operating in Derby who are licensed elsewhere. "Colleagues in Gedling have demonstrated a commitment to upholding high standards among their licensed drivers, wherever they operate." image: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/images/ ... s%202a.jpg The council believes if it can carry out its own inspections on all vehicles, safety standards can be maintained Mr Shanker added: "The ability of Derby City Council licensing officers to inspect out-of-town vehicles and drivers will lead to higher standards and greater public confidence in the trade." Mr Shanker's opposite number at Gedling Borough Council, councillor David Ellis, cabinet member for public protection, said: "We have taken significant steps in recent years to strengthen our taxi licensing procedures, including the introduction of a knowledge test and safeguarding training for drivers. We also know that a number of our existing licence holders predominantly operate in Derby. "Our licensing officers already carry out regular joint inspections with colleagues in the city but the agreement we have reached will allow both authorities to invest their time and resources more effectively." Last year, the Derby Telegraph revealed that almost half of the 2,800 private hire taxi drivers operating in Derby have not been cleared to work by the city council. Figures obtained from other authorities show more than 1,300 cabbies have gained licences elsewhere, meaning they have not passed the city council's knowledge test with 254 registered as far afield as Rossendale in Lancashire. But, since last February, any applications to Rossendale for a new hackney carriage vehicle licence where there is no intention to use the vehicle predominantly in that borough have been refused and anyone whose address is beyond a 30-mile radius of the town would not normally be granted a licence. Derby City Council intends to introduce a points-based checking system for potential taxi licence holders from June to eliminate people with criminal records obtaining them but funding of almost £140,000 is needed to run it and this could mean higher licence fees, which drivers are opposed to. Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/histori ... yVoZ0Jg.99 |
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| Author: | Sussex [ Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shock £138,500 cost of new Derby taxi licensing |
edders23 wrote: Councillors from Derby and Gedling have now agreed in principle to allow taxis that are licensed by the Nottinghamshire council to be inspected by Derby-based officers. Good move.
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