LATEST VIEWS FROM AN
OLDHAM METRO BOROUGH TAXI OWNERS ASSOCIATION: ANNUAL REPORT AUG 2020 – AUG 2021
Throughout Covid 19, our industry has been hit hard, but this has not resulted in your representatives having less to do, in fact quite the opposite, we’ve all had to pull together, both locally and nationally, dealing with the issues caused by the pandemic and also making sure that we keep up with all other changes that were going to be just as challenging.
With this in mind, we asked our very own board member for Oldham, Mr Abdul Khayal, to let us know what has been happening in his region, how his local association has contin- ued to support their local members. Below is a very detailed report, showing how we simply cannot and will not stop representing you, supporting you and helping our industry.
LOCKDOWN Several problems were faced by the taxi trade due to poor economic conditions in town centres due to lockdowns. The majority of drivers did not work during lockdown but a few managed to work with private hire radio systems and ranks. Rank activities were extremely poor, but some drivers persevered, although they were very frustrated.
MEMBERSHIPS Due to the poor economic situation membership contributions dropped significantly causing major frictions between the paid and unpaid members. Some members were determined not to pay their fees but took every advantage of achieve- ments gained from the association directors through negotiations with councils and licensing authorities.
CONSULTATION OCTOBER 2020 Manchester authorities sent out consultation documents which were completed by directors on behalf of individual members and non-members as well. This shows our commit- ment to express our opinions on the issues raised in the recent consultation documents.
MINIMUM LICENSING STANDARDS DBS, Knowledge Test, medicals, English test written and verbal, advance driving, dress code and GM standards.
MINIMUM VEHICLE STANDARDS These were discussed in September 2021 prior to TfGM mak- ing their decisions in October 2021. Directors worked very hard to negotiate with TfGM, many of the concerns have indeed been taken on board.
EXPLANATION As a direct result of our contributions on your behalf, existing drivers now have no need to sit written or verbal
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tests, or advance driving tests which should only be applied to new applicants.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATES Independent doctor facilities will be made available on the condition that they have access to your personal doctor medical records. During the pandemic, self-declaration medical certificate facilities were provided by licensing because your directors recognised the difficulties in obtaining medical certificates from your own doctors. This resulted in every driver saving medical fees of £120 or more. MoT tests were not carried out by Moorhey Street during lockdown period, so refunds were negotiated which resulted in refunds of either two tests at £90, or one test at £45.
FEES Annual fee was frozen too which was excellent news.
MIXED FLEETS Directors were working very hard on behalf of our member- ship; we were asking that Oldham council should make decisions in favour of a mixed fleet, but this remains to be seen, specifically how AGMA will react to our request. Chair and directors had meetings with both the Chair of licensing and council leadership, we continue to try our best to achieve the best goals. Some members did face some difficulties which our chair sorted out, and many members were happy with what the chair achieved.
GRANTS Your Chairman worked very hard with the council leadership to obtain £1,000 cash grants for each driver, but only a few appreciated this, which clearly shows how unaware you are of the work carried out on your behalf by the association.
DBS This is still a headache, hopefully once members register and sign up for the DBS update service, then this problem will be over. Now individual drivers are receiving emails directly from licensing, which is good, but your chair has also been sending messages through the WhatsApp groups as well.
MINIMUM LICENSING STANDARDS Vehicle minimum standards will be decided in October 2021 as to whether we must have all electric black cabs or not. I hope there may still be mixed fleets retained in Oldham for some considerable time. (We have to keep the hope alive). Oldham council and licensing do understand the predica- ment we are facing regarding vehicle minimum standards.
OCTOBER 2021
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