THE EVENTFUL DIARY OF
Your Association has been busy this month, travelling the length and breadth of the country on your behalf. Listed along- side are some events in more detail, that were attended by either myself
or one of our dynamic board members. Donna Short
THE POTENTIAL FOR JOINT ACTION AGAINST UBER
MONDAY 2
As the month dawned, I as representative of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association (NPHTA), was busy in Stevenage attending a
meeting on potential action against Uber. The meeting on 2nd September was held amongst major industry stakeholders, legal advisers,
licensing
officers and local trade associations. It was convened and chaired by the chair of York Private Hire Association, Wendy Loveday (pictured right) – who is also a Board member of the NPHTA, Northern Regions Representa- tive of United Trade Action Group (UTAG), director of Fleetways Taxis Ltd York, and Vice Chair of Better Taxis Action Group Bradford. Busy lady! Those present included the NPHTA, the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association (LTDA), UTAG, and trade representatives from Basildon, Brentwood, Milton Keynes, Med- way, Thurrock and many other districts that are likely to be affected by future Uber licensing decisions, and the way in which the legal implications of those decisions may affect not only London but all licens- ing authorities in England and Wales. At the time of the meeting, of course nobody knew whether Uber would have its London private hire operator licence renewed; a lot will hinge on that outcome in a wide range of directions. To borrow one of UTAG’s phrases, the meet- ing discussed Uber and weak regulation, and the need for “National problems requiring national solutions”. Well known barrister Charles Holland examined the legal aspects of out-of-area operations generally, and fielded questions as to the possibility of fur- ther court action if Uber’s licence is renewed. Those present were urged to contact their members, both nationally and locally, to gain momentum behind the movement to resist out-of-area intruders, and to raise
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awareness of the dangers of these opera- tions amongst councillors, who are often officer-led and told that such operations are legal – when they clearly are not. It was also strongly recommended that local authorities join up their council’s complaints to the Local Government Association; then each council could contribute toward any
legal costs rather than bear the entire expense individually. The message from the meeting was loud and clear: a united trade has a powerful voice. (Where have I heard that before…?) We can honestly say “Watch this space” because things will be happening following this rather momentous meeting.
NPHTA MADE WELCOME AT LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL’S AWARENESS DAY TUESDAY 17
Together with PHTM, the NPHTA was invited to Liverpool City Coun- cil’s Awareness Day on 17th September. In a bold initiative by
Liverpool City Council the trade had a unique opportunity to ask all the questions they wanted on DBS checks, training pro- grammes, and other licensing issues at a one stop shop, as well as speaking to many trade suppliers who also supported the event. This event highlighted the fact that Liver- pool council is indeed progressive: their support of hackney drivers in many direc- tions, not least in a funding boost for changing over to electric taxis, is both out- standing and noteworthy by other councils.
Their enforcement initiatives leave many other councils standing; their officers are out on the streets every night of the week including the busy weekend nights. They are producing a regular newsletter for Liverpool licence holders to keep them abreast of the latest licensing developments, fees, and any new initiatives – such as the installation of defibrillators in ten taxis, whose proprietors have volunteered to take part in the training and carriage of this equipment. What struck us during this event is the amazing amount of hands-on activity undertaken by Liverpool City Council, both on the day and back in their licensing authority generally. There were licensing and enforcement officers all over the place! – as well as their own stand at the event.
Yvonne Willcock – Team Leader Licensing and colleague proudly ‘modelling’ PHTM
Donna Short, Director of NPHTA on the PHTMStand
OCTOBER 2019
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