Chris the Fish wrote:
I have NOT said I have the answer - I am very aware of the situations that you cite. I just said that the "Interim" proposal put out by LC has a glaring hole in it.
I am in a restricted area. If I retire I can sell my cab with plate attached. Anyone I choose to sell to, can have it.
If I choose I can retire, retain my cab and plate and derive an income from renting it out.
If I die, my heirs can sell my cab and plate - or they can rent it out to maintain my nearest or dearest.
If that goes away by Ministers insisting on return of plate, all I, or my heirs, have is the value of an un-licensed vehicle.
That is all fine for the sole trader - a Limited Company would never (unless being wound up) have to return a plate. Eventually all Plates would be in the hands of Limited Companies. No Hackney driver, in a restricted area, could ever aspire to owning a cab and plate.
You should perhaps look at the Scottish law on the issue - I suspect the LC have - and as Sussex has pointed out, plates still go from limited company to limited company.
A council can refuse to re-issue a plate now after a sale - they have done in the past in York - Warriner vs York (I think)