Taxi drivers outraged over new policy

Published Date:
16 April 2009

By DAVID SEDGWICK   Source: http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/latest-news/Taxi-drivers-outraged-over-new.5175475.jp

TAXI drivers have threatened to take their fight against a new policy imposed by a council further.

Hackney and private hire companies throughout the borough are outraged that the policy was approved by members of North Tyneside Council’s regulation and review committee despite a number of concerns being highlighted last year.

Although council officers had held a consultation period, the document was approved last week without any amendments.

Alan Fidler, secretary of the North Tyneside Taxi Organisation, has said they will now take their battle to the local ombudsman while some parts of the policy could be challenged in the magistrates’ court.

Mr Fidler said: “In my opinion, the document going to the committee was wholly flawed and contained errors.”

He had written an 11-page letter to the council last September raising points about the policy from the taxi trade but says all were ignored and left unanswered.

“The policy is threadbare,” added Mr Fidler.

“There was general support for the maximum age of vehicles to be 12 years but that has been deleted from the policy without any reason given.

“Little changes were made between the draft and final report.

“This policy was pushed through without further consultation.

“Taxi companies are not happy with this and we will be implementing a referral with the local ombudsman and certain issues could be appealed to the magistrates courts due to unreasonable conditions.”

Taxi owners also met Mayor John Harrison before the meeting in a bid to get the policy changed or for it to be discussed by cabinet then full council.

But Mr Harrison was also barred from talking at the meeting.

He said: “I was informed by the chairman of the committee and senior officers that my representations on behalf of the owners and drivers will not be taken into consideration.

“I can only condemn that decision in the strongest term and ask for common sense to prevail, and I will continue to seek ways in which to improve the way we engage and encourage a stronger partnership between the council and the taxi and private hire trade.

“They are a very important part of the economic infrastructure and are a fundamental part of our public transport service, so we need to treat them as an important element and listen to what they have to say.”

But a council spokesperson said: “Councillors approved the policy put forward by the all-party working group after full consideration of the officer’s report.

“This policy has been developed following wide consultation with a range of groups including licence holders, Northumbria Police, businesses, residents, local transport providers and service users.

“The new policy indicates that the council intends to set up a new hackney carriage and private hire forum, which will provide an informal venue for all interested groups to discuss licensing policy issues, as well as new policy initiatives.”