Taxi Driver Online

Falkirk Council have decided to increase the six monthly taxi inspection fee from £30 to £60 for all tests after the 31st March 2010.

This information was leaked to the drivers before any official intimation was sent. (I'll fill in any info when letter arrives)

I've been on the phone to the Hackney Station and had it confirmed. They are justifying it by saying there has been no increase for nearly 12years, and the Hackney Station is running at a loss. I asked at a previous Forum Meeting why no other garage can do the tests. I was informed that it was a commercial decision taken by councillors in the past, and has remained so since.

Thing is can the council, without any consultation, impose a 100% increase without putting the service out to tender? Does the DfT BPG not have to be considered when these decisions are made?

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

Write or email the council ombudsman explaining what the council are about to do and include a copy or link to BPG I think the council will have to back down

Transcript of letter, as promised

Dear Sir or Madam,

Taxi Testing Charges

The present charge of £30 for a test has been in place since July 1999. The council, over the years, have done everything in it's power to keep the charges at this level but in this economic climate have no choice but to increase the the charge.

Following a review, Members agreed that from 1st April 2010 the new charges would apply.

Members have also taken the decision to put in place a charge for vehicles that don't turn up for a booked test. Last year we had more than 200 vehicles that didn't turn up for their tests, denying others an opportunity to have that slot.

See below charges for the next financial year:

Hackney.................Current Charge...................Charge from 1st April 2010

Hackney Test..................£30......................................£60

Hackney Re-test .............£12.......................................£30

Subsequent re-tests.........£30.......................................£60

Non arrival/same day cancellation........nil......................£60

Cancelled with up to 24 hrs notice........nil.....................£40

Cancelled with up to 48 hrs notice........nil.....................£30

If you have any queries in relation to this, please don’t hesitate to call our Fleet Manager who can explain further any questions you may have.

Yours Faithfully



DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE & NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES


PS sorry about dots and alignment, tabs disabled when typing, allan

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

They have to justify any increase, and if they can then so be it. But I doubt they can.

But you must be consulted, and the fact that you haven't makes the decision, IMO, illegal.

Write to the council leader, and if they don't change tact then write to the Ombudsman.

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IDFIMH

I suppose that the test is similar to an MOT test or slightly more involved so I would guess that the price should be the same as an MOT test or slightly more. Our test fees are £55.

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Grandad,

Is the test part of the licence fee or is it seperate.

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

separate.


more than a few FOI requests are winging their way to the council. the fleet manager, who seems to have requested the increases, retires in a fortnight. handy or what?

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

That's a disgrace. I've been saying all along that Councils use the Taxi trade as a cash cow to prop up loss making departments. It's time we stood up to these Dick Turpins of the local offices.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1j7bOVEew0

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

That's a disgrace. I've been saying all along that Councils use the Taxi trade as a cash cow to prop up loss making departments. It's time we stood up to these Dick Turpins of the local offices

How much does your council charge Nigel?

Only some....unfortunately Ashfield is one

CC

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

Sefton is in the process of reducing all of it licensing fees..... and also giving new drivers a free tyre pressure gauge..... but when they have £500,000 and growing in the ring-fenced account.... they have to do something....

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

That's all they can do, reduce licence fees & hope the account reduces, because they sure can't pay it back to licence holders.

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

They could always send me on holiday... I am sure they would feel the benefit of it as well as myself .

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!