YORK

A number of taxi drivers’ associations in York have made a complaint to City of York Council claiming the authority is making licensing decisions based on "misinformation".

York’s Independent Taxi Association, Hackney Carriage Association, Private Hire Association and Station Taxis Association raise concerns over information provided by council officers to a licensing meeting in February.

The complaint claims the advice was insufficient for councillors to make a fully-informed decision over issues relating to the way Uber operates.

The complaint document says

    “We would like a public statement and acknowledgement regarding all the misinformation that was presented at the meeting to clarify for the viewing and listening public, the elected members and the trade, the points which are accurate and those which are not.”

A spokesperson for City of York Council said:

    “City of York Council recently took a report to its Licensing committee on 11 February to present its position regarding the interpretation of the law relating to private hire licensing and the ability to work outside the area within which they are licensed.

    We have been clear on our position on this.”

Minster FM understands that the  council  is not immediately treating the matter as a formal complaint but that may change.

The reason is because it was not about an alleged breach of council rules, but the work of officers and their interpretation of legislation.

Updated - We now understand that this IS being treated as a formal complaint now

 https://bit.ly/2UdlDxE
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 LIVERPOOL

A passenger in a taxi has died in a crash on the East Lancs road in the early hours of this morning.

Police confirmed today that a female passenger had died following the incident whilst the driver is in a serious condition in hospital.

A 26-year-old man who was driving a BMW has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He has been taken to a police station where he will be questioned.

At around 5.10am police were called to the junction of the East Lancs Road and Stonebridge Lane in Croxteth after a collision.

Police are appealing for information regarding the crash. Anyone with information, who witnessed the collision, or has dashcam footage, can contact @MerPolCC, call (0151) 7775747 or 101 with reference 19100077634 or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
https://bit.ly/2IIWh9H
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WILMSLOW

 A taxi driver who was subject to an attempted robbery in Wilmslow managed to tag one of his assailants with red paint, forcing them to flee.

The driver, a 30-year-old man from Stockport, was approached by the three men on Albert Road in Wilmslow , shortly before 2am on Sunday, February 24.

The victim was checking his passenger side door outside the vehicle when the three men approached him, standing in front of the driver's door and demanding his cash box while brandishing a knife or screwdriver.

But the driver managed to use a red paint deterrent spray on the men, hitting one and forcing them to run off along Alderley Road.

The first man is described as white, 5’7”, slim with a local accent and wearing all black with his hood up.

The second man was described as dressed in black and the third man was described as taller than the other two men, wearing all black with white trainers on.

 Detective Constable Cameron Mair said: “Although this incident happened in the early hours of the morning there were a number of people and cars in the area.

"We are asking anyone in the area to get in touch if they saw anything - particularly if you saw someone with red paint on their hoodie.

“We are also asking drivers who drove through the area at around that time to check their dashcam footage.

"No one should have to face threats and intimidation when they are out making an honest living and we want to catch those responsible.”

If you have any information about the incident you can contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML 331011. 
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