CONSULTATION
out on the road; if you do not reply, then they will never know because you don’t tell them.
For example, we have recently seen a consultation which included a section on stretched limos, where it clearly stated that stretched limos must have a minimum of four road wheels. Naturally this resulted in a response asking what they had against the Reliant Robin, which although was a bit tongue in cheek, was mentioned to highlight how ludicrous some of the conditions actually are.
So, whilst you may see it as a box ticking exercise, if you do not bother to explain, then the result is that they will see this as “no objections”, which then does indeed make it a box ticking exercise – and creates a situation where all suggestions are accepted and implemented due to having received no reasons why they should not be.
Now more than ever, when the suggested new conditions are pushing for the £58k electric car, you must explain clearly why you believe, in sensible financial terms, that it is not practical or affordable. You must show them what this means! For ex- ample, no bespoke electric charging infrastructure in place for licensed taxis/PHVs, and how for you, charging at home may not be an option, for example if you live in a block of flats, or if you live in a row of terraced houses where there is no fixed parking spot or would at the very least create a trailing wire across the pavement which creates a trip hazard for pedestrians.
If you do not tell them, then how will they know? They will not be paying the finance, they will not be running around in a petrol car due to the limited mileage range of the electric battery, but they think you only do 48 miles per shift.
Why? Because you did not tell them otherwise.
For Wales, if you are private hire, do you want to be pushed into wheelchair access vehicles only? If you are hackney carriage, do you want to lose all your ranks? Or do you want private hire to be given the right to be flagged down in the street? I ask these questions because that is exactly what the removal of one of the tiers means. Which one are they getting rid of, hackney or private hire? The answer will de- pend very much on your responses, so it is VITAL that you respond.
For many, the new age limits push for five years old or less for new vehicles entering the trade on the basis that this will make them all Euro 6 compliant. However, Euro 6 was introduced in 2015, which means that by the time of implementation of these new policies, an age limit of six or even seven years will achieve the same target, but there are aftermarket devices available which will achieve the same goal far more affordably……so tell them. If you don’t, who will? Did you know this yourself? Get in touch!
JANUARY 2021
The key point is, these consultations are your chance to have your say, in writing; perhaps they stand a chance of having an impact on the new policies. Not responding will leave the policies to remain as written by those who have never driven or operated a private hire or hackney carriage vehicle in their lives, and probably never will.
So often we’ve heard that licensing authority consultations have been responded to by a paltry two or three per cent of the trade; they then use this as ammunition to press forward with their policies unimpeded. This cannot continue if you wish to survive into the “new normal”.
If you need support, help, assistance, advice, or anything else right now, then call us, join us, become a part of the NPHTA either as an individual licence holder or as a company, or even as a local association as an affiliate member.
We can help, but only if you ask.
If your local authority is currently in, or is about to enter into consultation, then please let us know.
WE CAN HELP COUNCILS CURRENTLY CONSULTING
Rotherham MBC
www.rotherham.gov.uk/consultation-feedback
Fenland DC
www.fenland.gov.uk/licensingconsultations
St Helens BC The new statutory guidance for taxi licensing can be found here:
https://tinyurl.com/y2k6aybz
Comments to:
taxilicensing@sthelens.gov.uk A UNIFIED TRADE
IS A POWERFUL VOICE! NOW MORE THAN EVER
WE NEED TO STAND TOGETHER!! JOIN THE NPHTA NOW!
0161 280 2800
info@nphta.co.uk
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