Taxi Driver Online

Council's taxi fiasco back on

AFTER spending an estimated £173,000 on an abortive attempt to end the limit on the number of hackney carriages in Watford, the council has once again voted to end the limit.

More than a year after a decision to remove the limit, which was later found to have been made in error at judicial review, Watford Borough Council's licensing committee has again voted to abolish the limit.

Chair of the committee Councillor Keith Crout said the decision would now create a level playing field in Watford, as all those eligible to hold a hackney licence will now be granted one.

The decision comes into force immediately.

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IDFIMH

Is this a case of councils know best, or they don't know best?? Here we have Councillor Keith Crout, Chair of the Licensing Committee, saying It will particularly give the elderly and the disabled more choice of vehicle and "We believe the move will give a better service to the people of Watford." However its curious that the T&G, NTA, NTTG and some branches of the GMBU etc say, restricted numbers provide a better service because cabs are double shifted. If being double shifted was the answer to a better service then I assume these organisations mean a better service equates to more cabs being on the road? However, in practically every case of numbers deregulation these very same organisations say there are too many cabs on the road and people can't make a living, it would seem there is a contradiction in terms in that particular argument but I just wonder if this particular councillor knows best or the T&G etc?
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Council taxi policy changed

Watford Borough Council’s Licensing Committee Monday night (13 November 2006) over-turned a long-standing policy by ending the limit on the number of taxis (hackney carriages) in the town.

The decision followed a nearly two-hour debate, and after independent consultants had carried out a public consultation exercise with key stakeholders and the wider public seeking views on what policy the Council should adopt.

Councillors were told that they could only refuse to grant the much-sought after licences if they were satisfied that demand for taxi services was currently being met. Officers advised them that the Government’s advice was that best practice indicated there should not be a limit unless there was evidence that the removal of controls would result in a deterioration in the amount or quality of taxi service provision. The report from consultants Mouchel Parkman also showed that there was little evidence to justify keeping a limit, and that the cost and possible legal challenges to a continued policy of restriction made it unsustainable.

Before making their decision, Councillors heard from Mr Shujait Sardar of the TGWU (Watford Cab Branch) and Mr Ivan Percival of the Watford Private Hire Drivers’ Association. Mr Sardar said that his members were not in favour of restrictive practices, but wanted a phased approach to increasing taxi numbers. Mr Percival urged Councillors to create a level playing field in the trade, and to end an artificially restricted market.

The decision to remove the limit was taken by 13-0, with two abstentions. The new policy, which comes into effect immediately, will be reviewed during 2008/2009.

In a separate decision, the Committee unanimously approved the creation of a project board involving hackney carriage and private hire vehicle representatives to assess future changes affecting the trade.

Speaking after the decision, Councillor Keith Crout, Chair of the Licensing Committee, said: “Our decision was made having regard to the consultants report which clearly demonstrated that there was unmet demand, and in the light of concerns expressed in it from the police and club and pub owners about the availability of taxis to get the thousands of people away from the town centre after closing times, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.

"It will mean a level playing field for those wanting to operate in Watford - a view supported by the Government who felt that consumers should enjoy the benefits of competition". It will particularly give the elderly and the disabled more choice of vehicle. "We believe the move will give a better service to the people of Watford."

Elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said: “I have always believed that it is fundamentally wrong for the council to impose a trade restriction. In towns that have removed the limit there has always been a battle and Watford has been no exception. I now hope that we can move on and provide an even better taxi service for the people of Watford and rebuild our relationship with both sides of the trade.”
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Now is that dodgy?

CC

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

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IDFIMH

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IDFIMH

Presumably thats the London branch of the GMB?

CC

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

The GMBPDB is currently a national branch,i have no knowledge of any GMB Branch representing PHV or Hack anywhere else.We have members from Northern Scotland to Cornwall,including Carlisle!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

You dont know an awful lot then

CC

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

BUT I AM LEARNING and under new leadership so is GMB we will get right should please you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.

Very good, I am very pleased.

CC

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

I have no knowledge of the London Branch or that of many others, my reference was to Manchester.

Regards

JD

The agenda and report for this meeting can be found at this link.

http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/cms-servi ... id=8354057

Regards

JD

There are a few little branches in Liverpool and Manchester.

The fact that hardly anyone knows about them is evidence that they aren't doing their job IMO.

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IDFIMH