Taxi Driver Online

I have just read the public notices in our local paper and the council have placed a notice in stating that the hackney carriage and private hire license fees are to go up from April 1st.

Firstly, are they supposed to consult with the trade before this is done?

Secondly, the rise for a hackney carriage/private hire vehicle license is to increase by over 45%. Is this reasonable?

How do I and the other owners go about challenging the increases?

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Grandad,

Get your association to sort it, they are meant to consult you apply to the court for an adjournment if not get your licence from a cheaper area, Berwicks cheap at the moment

We don't have an association. It was tried about a year ago but came to nothing.

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Grandad,

Have a word with some of your mates and write a letter of objection and everyone sign it with there address and take it personally to the licencing department and ask for a photo copy they will then have to comply, the add in the paper should have stated you had so long to object anyway
What area you come under??

Melton Borough Council. Yes we have 28 days to appeal. Looks like a busy day tomorrow.

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Grandad,

If you, and your colleagues if need be, just write in and object.

Then a report will be made to councillors, and hopefully in that report will be the justification and the consultation path they went down.

But defo object. Even one objection is enough.

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IDFIMH

I wonder if they would welcome nationwide objections,

have you got there email addy

I can get it tomorrow.

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Grandad,

They do seem a bit high handed not consulting anyone.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

They will say "who were we supposed to consult with? You don't have a local association."

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Grandad,

You only need 2 for an association. Start one with one of your mates.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

It is always better to object singly... as many objections as possible....... if a group object together it will usually be classed as (a objection).... which is pretty easily ignored...

I would also find out which Councillors are on the licensing committee.... and then if any of you( the drivers or owners) are in their constituency make an appointment to see them at their constituency office.... and ask them to explain why you have not been consulted .

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

I think JD will confirm this but there is a difference in the way councils can increase between Hackney & Private Hire Drivers license fees and Hackney proprietors licenses ph vehicle and ph operator licenses.

I dont think they have to consult in connection to fees for drivers licenses, or indeed advertise the increase, but any increase must be reasonable.

The above isnt the case with vehicle licenses and operators licenses where the increase must be advertised and objections (in any) considered.

CC

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

A few years ago our local council increased the fees by 23%, they stated that they needed to make this increase as they were running at a loss on the licensing of taxis and PH. we enlisted our local councellor who was made to look a bit of a tool by his fellow councellors when the subject went to commitee. The increase was granted, however now they are not running at a loss, or a profit , they can only increase fees in line with the rate of inflation. So if you get an association going, it may be worth asking them why they have run such a "poor ship" in the past, quoting all this "best value" rubbish that they like to spout and also to get the guarantee as regards future increases being in line with inflation.
As regards the consultation process, i'm sure i read in Button that whilst local authorities would be advised to consult with the trade, they don't have to and providing they hide a notice in the local rag, they can pretty much do what they want, and often do!
One other thing that i have just thought about, is that if you are going to put in letters of objection, as mentioned don't put lots of signatures on one letter, and also don't copy a standard letter which everybody signs and sends in, individual letters from individual people stating how it will affect them personally rather than the trade as a whole will go down a lot better, probably won't work, but hey you never know

I have sent a letter to the licensing officer this morning and also to all the members of the licensing committee.
The email address for the department for any one who wishes to send a message is,

licensing@melton.gov.uk

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Grandad,