Taxi Driver Online

Our council have put in the local paper a public notice stating that it intends to put up our licensing fees from April 1st. The last day for objections has not yet passed. Today I have received a letter telling me to ensure that the new fees are used from April 1st.
THIS CLEARLY MEANS THAT ANY OBJECTIONS ARE NOT EVEN GOING TO BE CONSIDDERED.
Also the council are holding a meeting for drivers and operators on 1st April. After the implementation!

_________________
Grandad,

Put you objection(s) in as soon as you can.

We have an identical scenario down here, and they were sending notices out for badge renewals (etc.) at the "proposed" new rate BEFORE the "consultation" period had ended.

We have at least stalled them for now - and have sent many letters in protesting at what we consider to be an illegal percentage rise, without any consultation with the trade before the event.

So - Make lots of noise

I am a Hackney carriage driver in Northampton our council are also planning to increase licensing fees, for vehicles by 13.5%, for drivers by 12.7% and for private hire operators depending on the size of a company's fleet by up to 500%.
They also want to increase fees every year automatically by the RPI index.
We (the Hackney & Pivate hire trades) have for once combined our strength to fight the council over this unjusified abuse of power.
We have hired the services of a professional consultant who has won a number of notable cases against councils across England and wales by forceing them to workwithin the law.
If ayone would like advise about how to take on your local council please reply and I will give you my e-mail

Is the chap called Mr. Fiddler?

CC

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

I believe the charges must reflect the true cost of the service provided.
Inflation or what other places charge shouldn't come into the equation.

The trouble with making a song and dance about it is that council numpties will always find new ways to waste your money.

_________________

http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

If you object then it must go back to councillors to consider yours, and anyone else's objection.

If the council do it any other way they are acting outside of the 1976 act.

_________________
IDFIMH

I take it you have objected to the proposals once they have been published in the local press?

Have you tried to lobby and bombard with e-mails every councillor?

_________________
IDFIMH

Following on from what Gusmac says, driver's license fees can only cover the cost of processing them. So ask your council why that processing charge has gone up 12.7% in a year?

_________________
IDFIMH

Have you paid the chap in question?

CC

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

No apolojies for trotting this out:

A Council exercises its powers under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, in connection with the grant and supervision of licences for Hackney Carriages, Private Hire Vehicles and Operators. A Council is empowered to levy fees for the carrying out of those functions, by virtue of S53(2) and S70(1) of the 1976 Act.

It follows that the Council must be able to demonstrate that those costs charged directly, or by apportionment, are both relevant and proportionate. The fees charged must be reasonable, and crucially be no more than sufficient in the aggregate, in respect of S70, to cover the Council’s costs in whole or in part.

Glad you mentioned that....I wont apologise for mentioning manchester vs. King then

CC

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

Gusmac said:



Dangerous one that mate - it might prove that the council is acting illegally for a second time by rises based on RPI (surely not!) - whats the betting?

What's that or do I have to read that myself as well

_________________
Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Not me

_________________

http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

I completely disagree

CC

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