Taxi Driver Online

Same old story councillors know best.

I don't know how many people have been to Rossendale but they make about eighty pounds on a Friday night. At least that's what I was told by one cabby who was sat at the back of the queue of ten cabs at 2 in the morning. I love councillors who tighten the noose around their own neck.
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January 30, 2008 Wednesday

Legal action planned over annual taxi licence plan

Lancashire Telegraph

ROSSENDALE taxi drivers are threatening legal action after the council refused to back down on changes to new licence fees.

A special call-in meeting was held on Tuesday night after it was suggested that the cabinet's decision to introduce annual licences had not taken into consideration the financial impact on drivers.

But the decision to introduce the yearly hackney carriage licence and an annual statutory declaration, as well as increase the renewal fee from £50 to £85 and £120 respectively for new licences, was backed after lengthy discussions.

The current fee for a hackney carriage driver's licence or private hire driver's licence is currently £150 for three years.

The recommendations will come into force on April 1, 2008.

Coun Brian Essex blasted the call-in meeting as a "sheer waste of public money" while coun Alyson Barnes said that it was necessary to facilitate consultation with the trade, as the process had been flawed.

Coun Essex said he was sure everyone agreed with the need for an annual licence.

He said: "The old three year licences have been abused by drivers and have to go. We have to have a system which allows proper monitoring to take place.

"I was perfectly satisfied with the financial proposals.

"As someone who runs a small business I have every sympathy with the taxi driver's costs but there have been no increases on the licence fees since April 2003."

After a claim that the figures provided in the council report were incorrect, Linda Fisher, head of legal and democratic services, said the figures in the report were robust as the number of licences being issued were constantly changing.

She then apologised for not consulting with the trade.

Speaking after the meeting, Glenn Bulcock, chair of Rossendale Taxi Association, and owner of GB Taxis, Bacup said: "We're seeking a judicial review to find out what has happened to the money we are paying.

"The council say they are making a loss and we dispute their figures.

"The trade can't stand this - it's a 70 per cent increase. We just feel it's one-sided at the moment and council putting demands on us left, right and centre.

"There isn't the incentive to work here anymore as the cost is putting new drivers off."

David Lawrie, chair of the Independent Taxi Drivers, said he was looking forward to the annual badges but thought the rise of £35 for badges was too expensive considering the rate of inflation and hike up on council tax.

The drivers will hold a meeting on Tuesday to discuss legal steps.

Ann Kenyon, secretary of Haslingden Taxi Association said: "We don't feel we even had to chance to speak. That's why we all came to the meeting."
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I suspect the reason this has been changed is due to that amount being nowhere near being legal.

There is no way any taxi/PH license process can cost £150. The fact that it is a 3-year license is irrelevant, as it should cost the same to process a three year one as an annual one.

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IDFIMH

Then she has broken the law.

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IDFIMH

Would it be possible for all drivers to apply for a new three year licence before 1st April and torpedo the silly burghers

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you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.