Taxi Driver Online

Even though xmas is here the news no matter how obscure still gets reported on TDO. Here is one of the latest offerings from the LGO highlighting a case of maladministration in respect of making a decision without consultation. This is the third taxi case that has gone before the LGO and all three have been reported on TDO. I am not aware of any other cases but if you do happen to come across any, please let us know.
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STOCKTON-ON-TEES BOROUGH COUNCIL (05/C/00777) (2006)

Local Government Ombudsman 4/12/2006

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

LICENCES : MALADMINISTRATION : TAXIS

The Council changed its procedure for licensing hackney carriage licenses for used vehicles so that applicants had to provide a vehicle registration document with their application instead of later. The change was decided without consultation with either of the two local taxi associations, but the secretaries to each association were told about the change at separate meetings held a few days after it was introduced. The Council then issued a newsletter implying that the change had been discussed with and agreed by the associations. Although there is no legal requirement for the Council to consult, its own constitution and publicity commits it to effective consultation and going beyond government requirements. After the change in practice and before the taxi associations had been told, a taxi driver bought a used vehicle to replace his licensed vehicle that was written off in a crash. The change in practice meant that he had to wait a month before the second vehicle was licensed. The information that the taxi driver gave to the Ombudsman about being unable to work for over a month turned out to be not entirely correct.

HELD: The Ombudsman has found that although the Council was entitled to change its practice there was maladministration in its failing to consult the associations contrary to its policy and publicity and failing to give taxi drivers adequate notice as well as publishing a misleading article implying that the associations had agreed to the change. If the Council had consulted and given adequate notice, the taxi driver who complained may have been able to avoid losing business and income. The Council has agreed to pay the taxi driver £250 in recognition of the injustice to him. The Ombudsman recommended that the Council should also meet the taxi associations to discuss an alternative proposal and publish an accurate report of that meeting and the Council’s response to the proposal.
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When will you ever learn, you need to CONTROL the politicians, their SELECTION[and you shouldnt forget that there is no reason why a cab driver shouldnt be the politician]election, policys, and voting patterns, can and should be under the direction of YOU through your UNION!!!!!!
AGITATE AGITATE AGITATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The views expressed by this contributor do not neccesarily reflect the policys of The GMB Nationally or of the GMB London Region.