Manchester

The Licensing Unit Manager Ms Hicks is on sick leave.

Some say it is stress related others say it is 'Gardening' leave prior to her leaving the department. However do write the Lady off yet.
This is the second occasion this year this has happened.

It has, however, no doubt  been stressful this year in particular with regard to the Council having to refund nearly £800,000 to the Taxi /PH trade this year. The refund (by way of fee reductions) is because of excess charges on previous years.

The excess fee's were uncovered when trade members, faced with a very poor service from the Licensing and Enforcement officers asked the question - "Why are we paying so much, for so little"

The £800k may yet  be the Tip of the Iceberg.

Solicitor's are instigating proceedings to recover much, much more.

I will keep you posted.

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MILTON KEYNES

The scandal of the rapist taxi driver supported by former mayor Subhan Shafiq has prompted cabbies to form an official Milton Keynes Taxi Association.

The association aims to improve communications with Milton Keynes Council and ensure private hire drivers have a proper code of conduct.

“We need to restore the trust of residents and avoid the fear brought about after taxi driver Nadeem Kiani was given a reference by the former councillor Subhan Shafiq,” said spokesman Rosemary Smith.

It will also give drivers a voice and protect from “bullying tactics” they claim have been used in the past by officials.

Head of the association is experienced taxi driver Denis Edwards. It has an elected secretary , treasurer and six committee members.

Said Rosemary; “All arecommitted to creating a positive future for what is after all one of the major parts of the transport structure of Milton Keynes.”

Chair Mr Edwards said: “I feel absolutely certain we can all look forward to a long and supportive relationship between our association and MK Council and win back residents’ trust.”

The association has already won the support of Councillor Catriona Morris, who heads the council’s taxi Regulatory Committee, and councillor David Nash, who is a member of the licensing committee.

http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/local/we-ll-win-back-the-trust-says-milton-keynes-taxi-association-1-6488523
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BELFAST

Public hire taxi drivers in Belfast fear they are being victimised after traffic wardens were instructed to clamp down on unattended vehicles in taxi ranks.

They say they have been told that anyone who leaves their taxi unattended in a rank will be ticketed.

Kieran Reilly of Belfast Public Hire Taxi Drivers said they had been given the heads-up by one of the "redcoats". "We acknowledge that they have a job to do, but we've been told that the redcoats are to start ticketing drivers who leave cars unattended in public hire ranks," he said.

"There's no toilet for the boys to go to - there's no facilities in the city centre and they're having to use public amenities like bars and restaurants. People now feel they are being victimised because we are putting pressure on the department to give us more ranks."

Taxi drivers are doing shifts of up to 12 hours with no toilet facilities and there is also no lost and found office for anything left in a public hire taxi, he said.

A DRD spokesperson said: "Long-standing legislation governing public hire taxis requires taxi drivers to remain with their vehicle when using a rank to ply for trade. Traffic attendants will take enforcement action against any vehicle found to be in contravention of parking restrictions."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfast-taxi-drivers-tell-of-victimisation-fear-30861582.html?