Taxi Driver Online

An as yet unnamed Falkirk Drivers Assoc. has decided to get motivated and take the LA to task over various issues. To this end they are distributing copies of a petition to be signed by the drivers, with a view to presenting it to the LO and various councillors and Licensing office staff and directors.

The petition reads-




To Falkirk Council

We the undersigned hereby register a vote of no confidence in the procedure Falkirk Council have in place to deal matters* relating to the Taxi/Private hire trade in Falkirk.

The conclusion of the current "taxi review" which was initiated in 2009 is long overdue! This is the final straw in the failure of the Licensing Department/Falkirk Council to deal with arrange of issues raised by our representatives over the past twenty years.

Some of these are listed below.

1) Failure to conclude the taxi review.
2) Taxi Survey. The last survey was carried out 19 years ago, good housekeeping necessitates this should be carried out on a regular basis.
3) Failure to limit the number of taxi/private hire plates.
4) Failure to provide audited accounts for the taxi trade.
5) Failures to provide an adequate enforcement team to monitor taxi/private hire.
6) Failure to make the forum official.
7) Failure to provide adequate rank spaces in Falkirk area
8 ) Failure to offer completion** or choice for the Hackney service.


I have signed our copy, but I feel that some of the points will never be satisfactorily answered. However there is a need for the LA to be more accountable to the trade, so perhaps if enough signatures are gathered we may get some positive feedback/result to the concerns raised.


spelling/grammar errors? *deal with matters; **competition

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

Petitions can be a good way to get things looked at, and maybe sorted.

Get the petition presented to, and debated at, the next full council meeting.

You should get some press coverage, and the LOs will be on their best behaviour.

_________________
IDFIMH

If it serves the council's political interests, they might do something, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Petitions simply allow politicians to gauge the weight of public opinion while claiming they are listening to grievances. It's a win, win situation as long as they appear to do something, even if it 's just to pay people lip service.

I wouldn't expect too much playing by their rules and the last thing the trade needs are another bunch of Uncle Toms' claiming to represent its “members”.

Desperate times need desperate measures but not more of the same old nonsense. I don't think this “trade” will ever learn.

Without a properly funded organisation providing 24/7 legal representation for its members you don't stand a chance against the political machine.

Scull, Haymarket is not the same without you. Hope you are surviving and leading a useful life.

If everything goes according to plan I should be back working by the end of August. Nothing to do with driving taxis thank God. That ship has sailed and to be honest, I can't say I miss the job, but I do the banter. Has Downie, learned any new jokes that are actually funny?

Tell all the guys on Haymarket, I'm asking for them and wish them well. Oh and if they think it's bad now just wait until next year. It's only going to get worse.

Skull, I thought you appealed against the councils decision to suspend you badge, or is that still on going

I wish it were that simple.