A view from the trade by B. M. ROLAND Opinion
THE NATIONAL PRIVATE HIRE ASSOCIATION 8 SILVER ST BURY BL9 0EX TEL: 0161 280 2800 FAX: 0161 280 7787 e-mail:
npha@btconnect.com
SAVE THE HEAP.... BUT DON’T LET IT CREEP!!
OK, so you have seen the front page, and if you are in one of the steadily-reducing areas that still keep the lid on taxi numbers you might well be twitching as to what the future might bring. I have to say straight away that the wording of the new clause has already caused my phone to ring rather a lot – so bear with me while I explain my view of what the clause means. From 1985 onwards local authorities that want to keep a cap on taxi numbers have to be able to prove that there is no unmet demand for hackney carriages in their area, and this has traditionally been done by undertaking surveys – which, according to Government guidelines, should be done every three years.
When this new clause comes in, at the same time the Government is going to set a series of percentages of the number of wheelchair accessible hackney carriages that each area should achieve. Obvi- ously if you are in a rural area with nothing except a lot of grass and little else, that percentage may well be quite small. But as the impor- tance size of the area grows, obviously the percentage will get higher:
30 per cent, 50 per cent, 75 per cent.
I think it is pretty certain that there is going to be some powerful con- sultation about these percentages. But to go back to the point, if the local authority has not reached the percentage set, then whether or not they have done a survey, if somebody comes along with a wheelchair accessible to license as a hackney carriage, that local authority will not be able to refuse that application.
Now at first glance that might seem pretty horrendous. But if we look at the facts, there are 88 councils in the country that still restrict taxi numbers – that is in England and Wales, outside London. Of those 88 councils, 21 already have all wheelchair accessible taxi fleets, so this clause will only affect 67 councils, and some of those councils may already have the percentage which the Government might set. So why do I say, “Save the heap, but don’t let it creep”? The heap is that massive amount of gold which you, in your protected empires, seek to protect. If you live in Little-Swadling-I-haven’t-had-a fare-for- over-three-hours-in-the-Marsh, or Big Diddlecombe on the Hill, whose only pub and post office closed down for lack of trade, that fortune might not be very big.
But if you’ve only got 25 taxis in your town, some extras might destroy what you already have. However, for the first time ever the guys out there will have at least one hand on the steering wheel. If the percentage set in your area is 33 per cent, and you have 99 taxis, if all those 99 proprietors sat down – preferably with the local authority – and changed sufficient vehicles to reach the 33 accessible vehicles required by the percentage set, then you will for the first time ever be able to ensure that the numbers licensed do not increase.
TAXI INSURANCE
We can provide possibly the best cover on the market
SINGLE, MULTI & FLEET AVAILABLE ON NAMED OR ANY DRIVER BASIS
Public liability up to £10m when carrying out his/her occupation as a driver whilst away from the vehicle.
Money cover up to £500 (£50 excess).
Option to protect your No Claims Bonus at any level either at inception or renewal.
Cover for your golf clubs or fishing tackle kept in your boot.
Personal Accident Cover.
Legal expenses cover for pursuing Uninsured Losses, Motor Prosecution and Motor Contract Disputes including rejection of new/used vehicles.
A replacement plated vehicle following a fault accident or theft. (Subject to terms and conditions)
Unlimited windscreen cover (£75 excess). FREE Roadside Assistance and Local Recovery.
Telephone: 01543 503851 Fax: 01543 571921 TRADEX INSURANCE, 47 MARKET PLACE, CANNOCK WS11 1BP
Tradex Insurance Company Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority PAGE 10 PHTM FEBRUARY 2010
1239/130110
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104
