let me apologise for my grammer and spelling obviously i am a little bit dyslexic, but i can assure you if you think its bad now you should of read my letters when i started.I do use a spell checker and grammer which is on the computer but its permantly set on english US and no matter what we do we cannot get it onto english UK.No i'm afraid my face does not fit within the framework they seem to be intent, all year in getrid of me.
One of the councils which i was representing though not at the time that a policy was brought in at the request of the trade that all vehicles brought onto te fleet after January 2006 must be 3yrs or less, they did not put an upper age limit but brought in a policy that any vehicle over 10 yrs that failed on more than 5 faults would not be re-licensed.
This was fine until the first cab over 10 yrs failed and the drivers realised he then had to put a 3yr old vehicle on, let me point out at this stage that vehicles was also tested 3 times a year.
Two years ago I took over the local taxi assocation and was reqested to do something about the 5 fault policy, I was also given a mandate to take legal action against the council by the Association committee.
After a lot of twoing and throwing we took the local council to court there was no winners, no losers, each paying their own though we did because of the comments of the district judge some changes as a result
(1) We got a review of the criteria of the 5 faults policy where many items where taken out
(2) We managed to reduced tests from 3 a yr to 2 a yr
(3) because of some critisism over the testing station the council as agreed to appoint 2 further testing stations
All these changes came about as a direct result of that case,the members however felt they had lost and did not cough up payment and that is why i was lumbered with that bill.
I however take on board comments about you can't have the service but the reverse is also, you cannot expect payment for no service, I have been both a criticiser and a supporter of the NTA, my views are unwelcomed, after time we only deal with National issues wears thinwith the members and you struggle to justify the costs.BETRAYED TODAY needs to know what they will get out of it???
The other major National Assocaitions and Unions give members benefit of some sort or another and more important deals with local issues NTA seems not to understand that not all members want to be in the NTA, and until they change they are unlikely to gain members they do have some good officers especially in Carlisle and it is a total shame and waste of good talent that they can't see as far as the end of their nose , they have lost our fees this year which would of totalled over £3000 from the trade I was secretary and treasurer of region 5&6 and gos to show that i am told over the phone by the same person who wellcomed me back just gos to show. well the fact is I am no longer a member ,the chairman knew fullwell the hopeless position i was in I both delivered agendas,minutes on time without and this is the best part under the regional rules I should of been entitled to £200 per yr to which none of the committe to my knowledge got because of lack of funds because of lack of interest because of lack of members yet they use the excuse you have not paid your full subs well i will leave it up to you ladies/gentleman to decide whether I deserved to be treated in such a way.

_________________
C. Oakes
The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com