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WARRINGTON TAXI/PH NEWS March 2006
Consultations and Communications
Following the recent taxi "go slow" protest and the silent protest at the town hall a number issues were raised which the Strategic Director Alan Stephenson responded in a letter to Warrington Taxi Drivers Association (WTDA). Many of the issues raised had been discussed in previous written communications with WTDA, however, it was thought helpful if this next newsletter expanded on some of the issues raised in order to allay any fears and to ensure drivers were fully aware of all the information available. The Council's Head of Transportation Services has offered to meet a group of hackney drivers to discuss issues prompting the current "go-slow" action, if you wish to take part in such a meeting please contact Phil Barnes.
The standard consultation/communication procedure with the trade is through the Joint Taxi & Private Hire Liaison Committee which meets on average twice a year, minutes of these meetings are sent to all stakeholders with copies on display in the Environment Services reception area. In addition to this forum there is a taxi rank sub group specifically set up to discuss rank issues.
A number of additional ad-hoc meetings have also been called to deal with specific issues, more recently meetings between the strategic director and WTDA, meetings over the de-limitation of taxis with WTDA and T&GWU, significant amounts of written correspondence with WTDA and telephone calls.
Another avenue of communications the trade has is through the Local Strategic Partnership Transportation Thematic Group but unfortunately WTDA withdrew from this group, however, there is private hire representation on the group.
Additional Hackney Carriage Plates
The Department for Transport asked all local authorities who operated a quantity control policy in respect to the number of taxis operating to review this policy by March 2005 and consider abolishing it. WBC consulted with WTDA, One voice and the T & GWU and other interested parties at the liaison meetings and separately. As a result of this the Council adopted a policy of "managed growth". In addition to this review the Council had been criticised by the Audit Commission in a report 18 months earlier that in Warrington "the % of accessible hackney cabs was low compared with neighbouring authorities and that there was a high number of residents per hackney cab".
At a full council meeting on 25th April 2005 following consideration of an officer report it was agreed to "introduce a control growth policy, supported by unmet demand surveys and subject to new quality standards given in appendix C (of that report), a total of 15 new plates would be issued per year with a review being undertaken in 2yrs time".
The issuing of the new plates has been the subject of some contention with suggestions that licences were being issued too early. The records show that plates have been issued on a gradual basis with an average of two per month issued between May and December 2005. It is not expected that any second phase licences will be issued before April 2006 and then the same pattern of gradual increase in numbers is expected. Drivers may be interested in some local comparisons (based on April 02 figs);
* latest allocation-will increase to 139
# current figs 365 @ current figs= 32
Town Population Taxis PH WAV
Wigan 301,417 136 569 52
Salford 220,000 78 900 76
Trafford 217,000 103 390 97
St Helens 170,000 63 360 63
Warrington 192,000 109* 301 22@
Macclesfield152,000 350 100 20
Halton 124,000 275 120 30
Vale Royal 123,300 116 123 35
2.
The DDA became law in 2005. Among its key provisions is a new duty on public bodies to actively promote disability equality. In complying with the Act, public authorities are expected to act proactively to fulfil this duty, rather than wait for complaints or challenges. The issue of additional accessible plates at this time reflects this need, as well as meeting the Audit Commission's criticism.
More specifically in relation to taxis, government proposals are for all taxis (i.e. Hackney Carriages) to be fully disabled accessible by 2010
Taxi Ranks
A number of new ranks have been introduced in recent years together with further increases planned in June/July when the new bus station opens. New ranks have opened on Cockhedge Way and in Stockton Heath.
Surveys of existing ranks show a significant under-use of all town centre ranks apart from the railway stations where an over-ranking issue exists. Complaints continue to be received from the Rail Management companies and general public to this effect.
A recent request has been made for an additional rank in Rylands Street by WTDA to cover trade generated by Friars Court. This is to be considered by the taxi rank sub group.
The Academy Way rank is currently the subject of conflict with the private hire sector. CCTV and documentary evidence has shown that this rank was rarely used to pick up passengers with drivers preferring to use Lower Bridge Street ranks prior to the current problems. Few taxi drivers appear to be aware that Phil Barnes, taxi licensing officer personally argued against the opening of the private hire office because of the possible conflict that could occur.
Police enforcement of illegal parking on ranks or other illegal parking is not a priority at night. WBC is currently in the process of introducing de-criminalisation of parking. This will transfer the responsibility of enforcing illegal parking to council officers (currently WTDA are objecting to the timing of this).
The Police, Town Centre Manager and a council portfollio holder have all raised serious concerns over the safety of nightime revellers on Bridge Street and the conflict with taxis performing dangerous turning manoeuvres in order to rank in a northerly direction. This issue has been raised several times at liaison group meetings but no improvement has been observed. We would encourage all service providers to ensure safe driving practice at all times.
Tariff Increase
At the September meeting of the Taxi and Private Hire Liaison Group Phil Barnes again promoted the need for taxi tariffs to increase. He pointed out that Warrington was 374 out of 377 local authorities lowest tariff rates in the country. This followed acceptance at the last tariff increase that a positive view would be taken on annual applications for increases, similar to those imposed by the local bus companies.
All tariff increase applications are subject to public notice (28 days) and the political approval process and the practical need to change meter settings and have them re-tested. An application was subsequently confirmed on 7th Nov 2005 with a subsequent submission of a simplified tariff sheet produced by the T&GWU. This application was considered by the Transportation Portfollio holder who asked for additional information. It became apparent at this point that getting the increase in before Christmas was going to be questionable and therefore it is understood that the T&GWU recommended withdrawing the application and to reapply later. Phil Barnes advocated leaving the application in place so that the new tariff rates could be in introduced as soon as possible.
Enforcement and Monitoring
The annual enforcement and monitoring figures have now been published and are included with this news pack. Warrington has two licensing officers (Phil Barnes and Mike Packer) but no enforcement officers. The principal of employing an enforcement officer has been accepted by the taxi and private hire trade representatives, however this has to be funded through the licence fees and charges.
A complaint from WTDA was received that a driver, who had admitted to losing his badge, was suspended on a Friday night until he could obtain another badge on the following Monday morning. The same evening saw two other drivers, a hackney carriage driver and a private hire driver being temporarily suspended until they produced their badges. A report had been received from another licensed driver that there was a unlicensed driver operating in the town centre that evening although neither the driver or vehicle were found during the evening checks. The same evening the Police and entertainment-licensing officers were carrying out checks that resulting in a door-man being sent home because he did not have his ID badge. It is important that drivers carry and display their badge in order to reassure the travelling public that drivers are bone fide.
3.
Legal Actions
Drivers will be aware of the legal action taken in the past by the Council with regard to Mr Brendan Murray of Benco Cars. More recently action has been taken against Mr Tony Camillire who had also been the subject of a joint investigation between the Council and the Dept of Works and Pensions regarding benefit fraud, including fraudulent application of vehicle licences. Mr Camillire's vehicle licence was suspended pending the investigation. Mr Camillire lodged an appeal to the Magistrates Court. In the meantime Mr Camillire was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment by the Crown Court and therefore this appeal could not be heard until his release. The appeal was dismissed this week by Warrington Magistrates and the court ordered that Mr Camillire pay full costs to the Council of £2,700.
All court actions taken by the council are funded through the licence fees and charges budget and any costs awarded by the court are paid back into that taxi and private hire account.
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
WBC operates the enhanced levels of checking to determine whether a person is "fit & proper" to hold a joint driving licence. It is worth noting that the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act provisions does not apply and spent convictions will be considered for past offences that are deemed relevant in the decision making process.
Medicals
The current contract with the NHS Occupational Health Unit (OHU) comes to an end in April. The new arrangements will result in drivers dealing directly with the OHU. Following national guidelines and advice from OHU it is proposed to require all drivers to meet the group 2 standard medical in line with current Public Service and Heavy Goods Vehicle drivers. This is also in line with other local licensing authorities in this area.
Insurance Discs
The dramatic increase in the use of weekly insurance certificates has required new arrangements to be put in place. This has now happened and all insurance discs are now issued by council staff based at Palmyra House.
A safety issue has been identified with both new and existing Euro 7's insofar as the side passenger door could, when being closed, come into contact with the rear facing near side passenger. The vehicle converters have acknowledged this problem and are introducing safety-warning strips on all new vehicles. Existing owners of Euro 7's may need to take similar remedial action and are advised to check with the testing station.
Useful hints/tips
When presenting your vehicle for testing remember to ensure all of your door signs are fitted otherwise your vehicle will fail its test.
An additional service offered by the Council is the supply of compliant fire extinguishers and first aid boxes which can be purchased at Palmyra House at low cost. The Council purchases in bulk directly from the manufacturers and is therefore able to pass on the savings to drivers.
4.
TAXIS & PRIVATE HIRE
RECORDED PRIVATE HIRE ENFORCEMENTS/COMPLAINTS/MONITORING - 2005
Formal caution - No P/Hire D/Licence 1
Formal caution - No insurance 1
Refusal to renew D/Lic 1
Suspension of Operator Licence 1
Complaints (In relation to unpunctuality of vehicles) 6
Sec 68 Vehicle Suspensions (Vehicle condition) 17
Complaints (overcharging) 1
Breach of conditions (No alcohol sign) 1
Breach of conditions (fail to display interior plate) 1
Breach of conditions (fail to notify change of address) 3
Breach of conditions (fail to display valid insurance disc) 1 5
Breach of conditions (P/Hire Operator records) 2
Sec 60 Vehicle Suspensions 5
Complaint - incivility 7
Complaint - Driving Standards 3
Complaint - unlawful use of Warning Instrument 2
Warnings - parking on Rank 3
Warning - fail to notify accident damage 2
Warning - fail to display badge • 4
Warning - No W.B.C. Door signs _ 7
Warning - No Operator door signs 4
Warning - other _ 3
92
RECORDED HACKNEY ENFORCEMENTS/COMPLAINTS/MONITORING
Warning - No Badge displayed 6
Breach of conditions - Display of window signs 1
Breach of conditions-display of plates - 3
Breach of conditions - Tariff Sheets 2
Section 68 suspension 6
Breach of conditions (display of insurance disc) 6
Warning - unattended vehicle on Rank 5
Warning - over ranking 3
Warning - cleanliness of vehicle 1
Complaint - 'Cherry Picking' - Bank Quay 1
Complaint (incivility/attitude - warning + 1 N.F.A) 6
Breach of conditions (fail to notify change of address) 1
complaint - driving standards j
Complaint - unlawful use of warning instrument 1
Complaint - overcharging 4
Complaints (unsubstantiated) 2
Complaint (PSV on rank) JL
50
NOTES
111 overtime hours worked during this period. 16 P.A.C.E. Tape Recorded interviews conducted
SPECIFIC REQUEST (W.T.D.A.)- ENFORCMENT ACTIVITY - 25™ NOVEMBER 2005
Drivers-no badge (Ix P/Hire + 2 x Hackney) 3
Fail to display badge (HCV) 2
Illegible rear plate (HCV) 1
Insurance disc (HCV) 1
No Tariff Sheet 1
Defective Brake Lights (PHV) 1
Private Hire Operator visits 4
N.B. - Info received during this evening (HCV driver) of Licensed HCV being driven that evening in Town Centre by unlicensed driver - not found.
WORKING DAYTIME (Transport Inspector) VISITS TO RANKS
w"'r"w''™*'"^*w**< ~~ * >———- — "Number of visits Times HCV available
Town Hill 164 13
Cockehedge Way 151 5
Central Station 145 145
Sankey Street 133 2
Source - Phil Barnes 31/01/06
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