Taxi Driver Online

Well it was a lively meeting this morning. It seems that they just don't get this providing information bit. We did manage to extract a little information but it was like pulling teeth. They now say that the cost of taxi licensing is apportioned at 40% of the total licensing budget but they still insist that they do not keep records of the expenditure separately and that they don't need to. The could not give us any figures to back up the 40% claim. All we could get out of them was that they were doing us a favour by not asking for full cost recovery. When asked again about the information not being available they just said that they can't give what they don't have. I pointed out that maybe it was time to start collecting the information correctly and when they have it then they can put the fees up but they were having none of it. As for acting outside the act, there answer was if you don't like it take us to judicial review. I asked for a copy of the minutes of the meeting that considered the objections and was told that there were none and when I suggested that the act didn't allow for Civil Servants to act alone on objections I was told that they were not Civil servants but Council employees.

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Grandad,

you really need a no win no fee lawyer

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

I think you are correct. Do you know any?

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Grandad,

You couldn't make it up.

You need to involve the Local Government Ombudsman asap.

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IDFIMH

I note the Brighton posse appear to have got a lawyer on a no win no fee basis for their 20mph speed limit......perhaps they can throw you a bone?

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

I think after 1st April the rules changed.

But for those that started the legal ball running before 1st April the future looks good.

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IDFIMH

Mmmm very interesting,red rag to a bull for me?You need a break down of every item and the relevant cost codes? I want you to ask them for the address of the local government ombudsman? I know you can find it yourself, but lets let them know you won't be a push over? You will then be able to tell the ombudsman your reasons for your objection? And he will request the information and look into the way your council is run? Lots of grief for them. You should say that the council have failed to follow the correct procedure when it decided to increase the taxi licence fees and charges?

I have asked them for the breakdown but they say the information does not exist. I have asked for the address of the ombudsman and it is available at reception. I will be writing to the said ombudsman by the end of the week.

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Grandad,

You need to put it in writing to the head of the council? Have you done this under the foi act? If not do it? Always put things in writing,so you have proof,keep copies of all letters sent to the council. Have you done this? Or are you asking for it verbally?

You have a chief executive write to him/ her?

Ok found it?
Lynn Aisbett is Chief Executive of Melton Borough Council. Lynn has been the Chief Executive since 2004 and prior to that has worked at Director level in a range of local authorities for almost 20 years. During that time, Lynn managed the full range of corporate services and delivered project based regeneration and community activities.
The Chief Executive of Melton Borough Council is paid £82318.57 p.a. There is no performance related pay or bonus system applicable in the Council
An annual essential car user allowance of £1,095 is paid. This requires a car to be available for work. Mileage is reimbursed according to national rates subject to a deduction of home to work mileage in accordance with tax requirements
The Chief Executive is a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme contributing 7 ½ % of gross pay to the Scheme. The Council pays a contribution of 20.25% as required by the Pension Authority.
No contribution is paid to have a land line telephone. This was given up voluntarily from 31 March 2007 to assist with budget management.
A mobile phone is provided. Personal calls are recharged.

And the ombudsman is free?

The freedom of information requests were sent to the licensing officer and were answered by the head of regulatory function.
Some questions were asked directly to the licensing officer by email and not under the freedom of information. none of the questions were asked verbally.
I have the email address of the Chief executive, should I use this or would it be better to use recorded delivery?

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Grandad,

Both.

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IDFIMH