Opinion Donna Short, National Private Hire and Taxi Association 0161 280 2800
www.npha.org.uk donnadale.npha@
btconnect.com
YOUR ASSOCIATION NEEDS YOU!
Picture it if you will (and you will be able to if you studied history at school): the famous First World War recruitment poster featuring Lord Kitchener pointing a finger, looking severe and saying, “Your Country Needs YOU!”
Now hold that thought, and read on for a while, as to why our New Yearmessage is similar: the National Private Hire and Taxi Association Needs YOU! Following a year in which this industry has been trounced, bad-mouthed, upset and let down in a lot of directions, we wanted to take a minute and reflect on a more positive approach with which this Association intends to move forward into 2019.
We’ve been told countless times that we don’t blow our trumpet often enough, or loudly enough, to alert licence holders across the land as to exactly what we’ve been up to. That’s true, but it is often tricky to write about the kinds of activities we get involved with - especially if they are ongoing, or sub judice if going through the courts. But rest assured: we do a helluva lot to help folk.
I’m fully aware that there are other organisations out there that are also beavering away on behalf of the trade. For example, the GMB has gained both strength and momentum in recent times, enabling them to take on some reallymeaty court cases - and gain valuable victories. But they have the wherewithal to do this: it takes some serious fund-
ing to mount a legal challenge, say, in the High Court. This Association just does not have that kind of financial backing; we don’t even pre- tend to approach that level of funding. So let’s concentrate on what we can do, and do on an almost daily basis. Our setup is more akin to the Citizens Advice Bureau: for over 25 years we’ve taken phone calls - and latterly emails as well - starting out virtually the same: “I wonder if you can help me... I’m having a lot of difficulties with our licensing authority...”
This is where our strengths lie: I should think at least ninety-five times out of a hundred we are able to provide the appropriate guidance, assistance, legal interpretation... whatever is needed to solve the dilemma of the day. If we can’t do it ourselves, we certainly know A Man (orWoman)Who Can.
Very often all that is required is a quick contactwith the local authority’s licensing department to find out the background to the situation, and sometimes one of my famous “Snarly Letters” to licensing if they’ve done something daft (ie unlawful), such as trying to shut down a private hire operator immediately (can’t be done under the legislation); take the plate off a licensed vehicle without issuing the requisite written notices, or take a driver’s badge off him without (a) putting it in writing, giving the reason why, and/or (b) notifying him of his right of appeal.
The number of times we’ve been able to resolve such difficulties with- out having to resort to court action is countless. The number of drivers we’ve been able to get back on the road just before their lucra- tive weekend shift is countless. The number of operators we’ve been able to sort out as to which direction to turn with accountancy/arbi- tration/insurance/RTA difficulties is countless.
Trouble is, most of those callers and emailers expect our reply (a) to solve all their problems instantaneously, and (b) come for nowt. Now most people out there will know that we attempt to answer any and all queries, whether the caller is a NPHTA member or not. But it wouldn’t half be helpful if they were...! As with any service-based organisation, we need to keep the wheels oiled and the cogs turning so that we may continue to be of assistance. Our overheads are very low, and I don’t take a salary from the Association - never have done.
8
JANUARY 2019
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