Taxi Driver Online

GMB’s call for all taxis transporting vulnerable children in Brighton & Hove to meet the high standards set by the city council has been backed Brighton & Hove City Council Leader Simon Burgess.
26 Apr 2007

Currently taxis licensed outside the city, in Lewes, Adur and Mid Sussex, are able to tender to carry vulnerable children but neither the drivers or their vehicles are licensed to the same standards as Brighton's, by their councils. GMB welcomed an amendment put by City councillors, Pat Hawkes and Simon Burgess last week the council which begins the process of equalizing the standards for all vehicles and drivers who seek to tender to carry the City's vulnerable children.

Brighton GMB Taxi drivers have raised concerns over standards of taxis from outside the City. Currently Brighton & Hove City Council contracts work to the lowest bidder regardless of where they are licensed.

Mike Doyle GMB Brighton Professional Drivers Rep, explains, "Brighton & Hove has had a policy of giving contract work to vehicles as long as they are licensed regardless of which authority has licensed them. Many residents won't realize that there are lower standards elsewhere and it's a cause for serious concern for children's safety. It is also having an adverse effect on BrightonDrivers buying expensive Wheelchair accessible taxis that can't compete with cheaper older vehicles operated elsewhere.

BrightonGMB Taxi drivers have been urging the local authority to include vehicle age limits and to compel all drivers who transport children to have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks in the tendering process. BrightonGMB Taxi drivers also wanted Brighton & HoveCityCouncil to keep records of drivers and vehicles used from outside the area to check that they are actually licensed and CRB checked."

Brighton & Hove City Council Leader Simon Burgess said; "We have a highly professional taxi fleet in our city and residents and visitors really value that. I have been concerned that drivers who are licensed outside the city such as in Lewes, Adur and Mid-Sussex can come into our city to operate, and yet those councils don't insist on the same standards that we do. It's important that vehicles are safe, clean, well insured and the drivers are fully trained and thoroughly checked. I want the other councils to up their game so that we can all feel fully confident that everything possible has been done to ensure we all have safe journeys in taxis. Our action in the city to tighten the requirements of those bidding to carry children is good news for residents here who want our children protected."

-Ends-

Contact:Terence Flanagan, GMB Professional Driver Branch Secretary on 07958 275339 or GMB Press Office: Rose Conroy on 07974 258123 or Steve Pryle 07921 289880.
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In what way are they not licensed to the same standards?



I was under the impression that by law all Hackney carriage and private hire drivers had to undergo a crb investigation before they obtain a license? Does the GMB know something different?



The way Mr Burgess is talking you would think Brighton cabs don't operate in any of the three authorities he mentions? He thinks standards are higher in Brighton so its ok for them to take private hire bookings from people in Adur, Lewes and Mid Sussex but not acceptable for drivers in those authorities to accept private bookings from Brighton? What a strange lot these councillors are?

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.

So the GMB seems to think that councils don't know best after all.

Please don't mention this in Gateshead

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

One GMB rep made a song and dance about councillors retaining control of licensing but I very much doubt all GMB members sing from the same hymn book, do they?

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.

JD, I would suggest you ring round the four licencing areas and you will then find out the differences in the licencing of both drivers and cars. Or ask Sussex he will tell you.

TDO, What this shows is the GMB has acted on what it members wanted in Brighton. As it will act on what the members in Gateshead want.



Regards
BB

Keep Sussex out of this and anything else with the grass's name on.

Let's just hope for the drivers sake Labour stay the biggest group on the council, cos this will be shoved in the faces of those involved if they don't.

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IDFIMH

That's the problem with national unions, they may act for their local members, but then look two faced when they are saying one thing yet doing another.

Still if things go well the grass will take all the glory, but if they go tits up it's you who will get the blame.

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IDFIMH

Well to be quite honest BrightonBreezy I am under the impression that Adur has a tighter wav policy than Brighton and as far as I'm concerned a saloon vehicle is a saloon vehicle no matter what name you give it? Therefore what exactly are these high standards that you and this councillor are talking about? If you can't tell us then so be it but don't parade Brightons so called high standards under a banner of quality control when those standards you refer to seem to be nothing more than an illusion in the minds of the local GMB and some Brighton councillors?

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.

Dodgy sounding bloke.

Have the GMB also acted onwhat members in the other 3 areas wanted?

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Grandad,

Why are council standards so different and why do Brighton council call for a higher standard can any one awnswer being new to this forum I can understand why bb said ask Sussex ,as he has the most postings to read and sounds like he has been in the trade for some time.BS

You are spot on Mr Smart, I am the dogs doodars.

As for my many postings, that could make me a source of all knowledge, or one sad taxi/PH anorak.

You decide.

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IDFIMH

Personally I think high standards for drivers and vehicles is the only sensible way this trade can go forward.

Some councils appear to disagree, and some don't.

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IDFIMH

Well at least we now know that the GMB isn't acting out of principal

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

WELL IM GOING TO SAY YOUR A SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE THATS BECAUSE I KNOW AN ANORAK AND HE COLLECTS BUS AND TRAIN NUMBERS.BS.