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Evening Gazette
April 9, 2008, Wednesday
Taxi fee talks to go on
TAXI drivers met with Stockton Council to discuss controversial licence fee hikes.
Members of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire sectors of the trade in Stockton discussed their objections with council representatives yesterday over the proposed increases for 2008/09.
The council agreed to discuss the issues and concerns and respond later in the week.
Chairman of the Stockton Hackney Drivers Association, Basharat Mahmood, 46, said: "This was a very useful meeting and I am hopeful we will receive some positive formal response from the council by Friday.
"In the course of the discussions the council indicated its willingness to consider a number of issues for the future including a possible review of the operations of the taxi licensing section to be carried out by external consultants."
Acting secretary of the association, Javid Khazir said: "We are delighted the council has taken note of our many serious concerns.
"We look forward to the council proposals for the fees structure and are ready to meet with them again on a regular basis as proposed by them at the meeting."
The cabbies have held two "slow drives" through the town in protest at the council's proposals to charge up to pounds 300 extra a year for licences.
A review of the transport account was carried out following a request from the taxi trade. It said the review showed the council had been under-charging for a number of years.
Cllr Steve Nelson, Cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: "The meeting allowed all parties to sit down and discuss the issues and concerns in a meaningful way and we will be making our final decisions later this week."
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