Taxi Driver Online

Cos it's maybe what their enforcement policy says. Or the lady didn't want to attend court. Who knows?

But a caution is an admission of guilt. Nuff said.

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IDFIMH

Ok lets put it another way, the private hire company and the lady who booked the cab both made statements, did you ever consider trying to find out what was in those statements before you formed your opinion?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

And you think that's what you've done?

It's a pity you didn't put your name to this document and the organisation you represent.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

Apparently its all about money, money and more money.

strange I thought it was about a councillor admitting guilt then the trade saying he was innocent....even though he admitted he wasn't.

confused?

well in the next episode of soap.....

CC

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

can you elaborate?



Depends on what you count as the trade, I haven't yet seen an official admission from the Bolton taxi trade that they support the Councillor. I know Charles believes the councillor is innocent but does he have the support of his committee or does his organisation actually have a committee and if so do they reflect the views of Bolton hackney carriage drivers?

It is patently obvious to me that Charles is not in a position to form an opinion based on fact, for the simple reason he hasn't bothered to inform himself of the full facts. Whether or not people in the taxi trade find his actions bordering on the irresponsible is another matter but most of us would probably expect a more prudent approach from a chairman of a local taxi organisation before committing the organisation to a position that is questionable.

Keep tuned to TDO the facts will soon be revealed.

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

I cant elaborate more than what Charles stated....which was;



When I mentioned trade....I mentioned it as a whole including PH.....as per article from the Bolton newspaper.

I'm not sure if Charles does committees.....perhaps you can ask him? whatever I say will be used in evidence

For what its worth....I'm quite sure the truth will out....because TDO has a nasty habit of making sure it does.

regards

CC

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

Taxi chief calls for Bolton councillor's case to be reopened

A LABOUR councillor at the centre of a row over an illegal taxi has won the backing of a taxi drivers’ association, which claims “he has done no wrong”.

Charles Oakes, chairman of the Bolton, Bury, Burnley, Blackburn, Preston Hackney Car Association, has spoken out in support of Cllr Sean Hornby.

The councillor last week received a caution after admitting using his car as a taxi without a licence, acting as a taxi driver without a licence, operating a car as a taxi without an operator licence and using his car as a taxi without the correct insurance.

The case had been set to go to trial, but was halted at the 11th hour when Cllr Hornby agreed to accept the caution.

Mr Oakes said he has seen the “paperwork” and has called on licensing chiefs to reopen the case.

Mr Oakes said: “He has done nothing wrong.

“He accepted the caution because of the costs involved.

“The reason I became involved is because of the taxi drivers saying he had got away with it.

“I have had a look at the documents and seen that everything was in order.”

Cllr Hornby, who represents Little Lever and Darcy Lever, was last week suspended as Bolton Council’s planning chief, pending the outcome of an investigation by the Labour Party’s National Executive.

Mr Oakes said: “All investigations should be stopped and instead the council’s licensing officers should look again and clear Mr Hornby, and issue an apology.”

But his sentiments are not shared by all of Bolton’s taxi drivers.

Bill Richards, of the Bolton Taxi Driver’s Association, said: “It seems to us that the councillor has been treated leniently.

“I and other drivers would have wanted this case dealt with through the courts like other drivers would be.”

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

'Taxi' driving councillor has done nothing wrong
8:00am Tuesday 10th March 2009



AFTER reading recent reports of how Cllr Sean Hornby allegedly used his car as a “taxi” without a licence, acting as a “taxi” driver without a licence, and operating a car as a “taxi” without an operator's licence, we would like to put the record straight.

A “taxi” is a hackney. Cllr Hornby has never driven a taxi in his life, illegally or otherwise. He used to be a private hire driver, which is entirely different. When he was elected as a member of the council, he decided to run his airport business off a PSV restricted operator's licence instead of private hire. This is permitted as long as the distance of journey is over 15 miles which, of course, Bolton to Manchester Airport is. These licences are with VOSA, not Bolton Council.

The alleged incident in February last year was a trip to the airport, pre-booked on a PSV restricted operator’s licence. This business was not a private hire or taxi business and therefore does not even come under the jurisdiction of Bolton Council. PSV vehicles do not have plates and stickers like private hire, but a disc displayed in the window, which Cllr Hornby was displaying.

Copies of the licence and disc, along with booking sheets, had been provided to the council, along with emails from VOSA saying his vehicle was licensed. Why these were disregarded by licensing is a mystery. He legally used his car as a PSV vehicle, acting legally as a PSV driver, driving a car which was on a legal and valid PSV restricted operator’s licence.

This is why for the last 12 months Cllr Hornby has been pleading not guilty.

It was only after considerable expense, paying for solicitors and immense stress over the last year, he decided, when offered a caution, to accept. He could not afford to carry on financially or emotionally.

Obviously, people have only heard one side of the story as Cllr Hornby, who was hoping to comment this week after council meetings, has been prevented from giving his version of events, so no one can blame them for responding in a negative way. But we feel it is only right that people hear his side of the story.

Thankfully, the hackney and private hire associations chose to find out the facts for themselves before they commented, after Bill Williams of the Bolton Taxi Driver Association called for him to be axed.

Cllr Hornby, when contacted, showed them all the relevant documents and told them to judge for themselves.

After doing so, they are now supporting Cllr Hornby and calling for an investigation as they believe the caution should be lifted as, in their opinion, he has done nothing wrong.

He has certainly not had any preferential treatment, it has been more like a political witch hunt for the past year.

He is a hard working councillor for Little Lever and Darcy Lever and we hope that, when the investigation is complete, he can resume his duties with a clear name.

People should remember, there are always two sides to every story. The only thing he did wrong was accepting the caution!

Private hire drivers in support of Cllr Sean Hornby Bolton

_________________
C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com

The 'article' above is a letter to the local paper ffs

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/yoursay/yourview/4187662._Taxi__driving_councillor_has_done_nothing_wrong/

From speaking with some in the Bolton 'trade' the view in the above article is a minority view, indeed it has been suggested it is the view of PH operators, who perhaps are aware of the need for planning permission for operators licenses? Of course the councillors position as chair of planning has nothing to do with this view?

The suggestion that all he did wrong was accepting a caution is obviously stupid, why would an innocent man accept guilt.....would anyone on tdo do that? The answer is obvious.

CC

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

The lady did attend court so what type of message does that send out?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

A similar message to those alleged associations that are so vociferous in support about someone operating on a different playing field to themselves. ?

regards

CC

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

The full facts will soon be on record, certainly within the next 48 hours so I wouldn't read too much into what is being banded about at the moment.

I'm currently enjoying a rare moment of relaxation watching the world golf championship otherwise the article may have been completed today.

One of my favourite golfers Phil Micklemass has just missed a pelican put, better luck next time Phil.

Charlie? Besides you, who is the name or names associated with the message of support for cllr Hornby on behalf of the private hire fraternity?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

ever thing is balck and white, as said before you have all found him guilty so nothing needs to be said.

of couse cc the man in the know, is always right.

_________________
C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com

What do you want me to put my name to.

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C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com

Well who would take notice of me i am thick dont know any thing. well we will see. mind you if he was cleared pepole on ther would say it is a cover up.

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C. Oakes


The Hackney Association Ltd
bbha@btinternet.com