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Dear Cllr Keir
I refer to previous correspondence to you, in particular that of 26th July, and council solicitor Robert Millar's uncharacteristically speedy response of 27th July.
As you can see I have taken some time to make this measured response, unlike Mr Millar's petulant, shoot-from-the-hip hasty riposte.
First, I take exception to the fact you somehow believe that your employment by Lothian Buses, while advocating the continued restriction of taxis - a key competitor of your employers, is not a blatant conflict of interest.
I also consider it little more than political arrogance that you believe that you, who has the conflict, should be the sole arbiter of whether you feel such conflict exists in the first place.
I cite that you are responsible for bringing our political process into disrepute.
Second, your disgraceful conduct is aided and abetted by a council executive which is clearly playing fast and loose with the Law. When Robert Millar short-circuited the Freedom of Information procedures to deny me access to any demand information you hold for April, May, June and July, this is little more than a flagrant disregard for the rules set down in Law.
I have no doubt Jim Inch's plan was that I would veer off on some futile chase trying to force the disclosure of the information and that the council would not ultimately be held accountable because it would have played its hand in the interim, rendering formal complaint redundant.
Unfortunately for the council I choose not to be suckered down this transparent route. Rather, today I, and others, have applied for a taxi licence.
Third, you will be aware Cllr Keir that, according to the Taxi Licensing Officer's report before the Regulatory Committee in July, 62 private hire licences were applied for in June. This is a clear indication of demand for taxi services in Edinburgh.
Coupling this with Mr Millar's flagrant disregard for the Law in denying me access to information, which prejudices applications and is a clear case of the council acting contrary to natural justice - a ground for appeal to a Sheriff in the event of the RC's refusal to grant the licence - we confidently look forward to the timely processing of these applications.
Please confirm that, as before, all licence applicants will be afforded the opportunity to represent their case before the new RC.
Meanwhile I particularly look forward to once again inviting councillors into the witness box in the event of the need for any appeal whereby the opportunity will be available for them to explain their decision in respect of the licence application, along with any matters concerning conflict of interest.
Finally, Mr Millar's riposte on your behalf that your party adopts the policy stance of the Scottish Taxi Federation which opposes the OFT's recommendation to delimit taxi numbers, brought much mirth.
Perhaps you would be kind enough to tell me how many of the 2500 drivers in Edinburgh without their own taxi are actually represented by this group. When were any of them ever invited to any meetings, when were they ever consulted by them and when was any information ever disseminated back to the drivers to inform them what the STF actually does? What voting rights do any of Edinburgh's drivers have in this organisation? Of course, they have none.
The STF is little more than a joke, a vested interest which operates on behalf of owners intent on maintaining the status quo which depends on increasing plate values and an easily accessible market of cheap labour which maintains high taxi rental income. There is another clear democratic deficit here, with those who actually serve the customers in our trade being exploited.
And this is the organisation's guidelines which Cllr Keir's party holds up as representing the justification for its restriction policy?
Cllr Keir, you couldn't make this up. It is a disgrace. It is intolerable.
Thank you for your assistance with this matter.
Yours
Jim Taylor
PS Please supply me under Freedom of Information the date of application for, and the date of issue of licence for each of the 62 licences applied for in June, when the date of issue becomes known to you.
JT
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