Ipswich

Plans to introduce mandatory English tests for taxi drivers in Ipswich have been given the green light after concerns that it was “particularly discriminatory in matters of race and disability” have been ironed out.

Ipswich Borough Council last year mooted the plans to introduce the mandatory tests as a means to preventing issues for both passengers and cab drivers.

But in October an equalities panel scrutinising the plans said that the proposal was “unlawful and particularly discriminatory in matters of race and disability.”

In particular, the panel feared that drivers would be refused an 
interpreter if an investigation for a criminal offence was under way which would be unlawful under the Human Rights Act.

The panel’s report added: “An applicant could have a degree taken in the English language (so much higher than the requirement) but if it was awarded in a non-English speaking country then it would not be recognised.”

The plans would require all taxi drivers to submit evidence of a recognised English qualification such as a GCSE or A-level, NVQ or vocational qualification or taking part in a speaking and listening test as laid out by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Outlining the need for the tests, the borough council’s report said: “Taxi and private hire drivers meet many different people in the course of their work, some of whom may be intoxicated.

“An important aspect of communication between the driver and the passenger is that the driver is not often facing the passenger, so body language cannot be seen.

“Drivers often have to deal with complaints from the public with fare disputes, time of arrival, which way to go, multiple drops etc and it is important, for their own safety, that they understand conversations and can respond in a calm manner.”

Now, the borough council has said it has addressed the concerns and would be rolling out the plans in January or February. A council spokesman said: “We are introducing the English tests in the coming weeks to make it easier for drivers and customers to communicate.

“We have addressed some of the concerns of the equalities panel and will now accept qualifications in English taken in any country and will make special arrangements for applicants with speech or reading needs.”

http://bit.ly/2ij6VBp

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DERBY

 A taxi driver who had previously tried to pass on four speeding tickets to a friend has been denied a new licence.

Nisar Alam re-applied for his taxi driver's licence after losing it in 2012 when he was convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice when he asked a friend to take four speeding tickets he had received in the space of three months, a court heard.

He was handed a two-year driving ban at the time, as well as three months' imprisonment and nine months wearing a police tag.

But when he reapplied for his licence last year, Mr Alam decided to appeal the council's decision to refuse the application.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court has backed Erewash Borough Council's decision to refuse to grant a taxi driver's licence on the grounds that he "was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence."

Mr Alam, of Clarence Road, Derby, had his application rejected by the council's Drivers Licensing Panel in September last year and his appeal against the decision was heard at Southern Derby Magistrates Court on January 5.

District Judge Jonathan Taaffe heard submissions from the council's solicitor and Mr Alam's legal representative and ruled in support of the council.

http://bit.ly/2ij1N08
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 A taxi operator in Whitby has been giving his reaction following on from the council's announcement that taxi's in the borough will have to get their MOTs at a centre in Scarborough.

Yesterday we brought you the news that Scarborough Borough Council passed the motion, meaning all taxis that operate in the borough will have to go to a council approved depot in Scarborough to have their MOT tested. 

That means that taxis in Whitby would have to drive down to the proposed site of Dean Road in Scarborough in order to have their MOT at the centre.
George Cockerill owns Harrison's garage in Whitby, is a taxi operator and is also the vice-chairman for Scarborough and District Taxi Association he said:

"It's very disappointing for us all in Whitby, particularly with the distance we have to travel for the MOTs. 

It's a 40 mile round trip and they're not doing any repairs at that station. Most garages in Whitby look after their own clients with taxes and MOTs being done there. 

You spend an awful lot of money training mechanics to be MOT testers, and this where you make a lot of your revenue for garages. 

 Taking out the MOT from local garages seems a bit difficult for us to take."

Hear more of what George had to say about his concerns about the council approved centre here:
Here's what some of you have been saying on Facebook in reaction to the news:

Earlier this week, Councillor Bill Chatt said:
"I can see that a lot of taxi drivers will feel unhappy about this. But this is only based upon public safety and improving our service, and that's what it should all be about.

We should be improving the service for members of the public who are the ones using the taxis so that they feel safe and secure.

My concern is that the last checks we carried out, proved that things are not working out for some reason."

http://bit.ly/2jyaFAm