Taxi drivers in Powys will be subject to background checks every six months.
At a meeting of the Democratic Services committee on Monday, April 22, councillors received a report which said that tweaks were needed to the Powys County Council constitution.
The council’s head of legal and democratic services, Clive Pinney explained that the changes are needed as subscribing to the DBS service is a new requirement for licensed drivers to comply with guidance issued by the Welsh Government and the UK DfT.
According to the Shropshire Star, an annual subscription to the UK Government’s DBS Update service costs £13.
Mr Pinney explained that he considered the change to the Powys constitution to be a “minor amendment”. This means that it doesn’t need to go before all councillors at a council meeting to be ratified.
If the drivers don’t follow the new six monthly DBS requirement the constitutional change would allow the “relevant” head of service to have the ability to sub-delegate responsibility to the relevant council officer to suspend the hackney/PHV licence.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Claire Hall asked for confirmation that the driver would need to subscribe to the DBS update service which allows certificates to be checked online or “demonstrate” in another way that their DBS has is up to date.
Mr Pinney confirmed she was correct and that this is a new requirement.
Independents for Powys Councillor Gareth E Jones asked why the Welsh Government had brought in the guidance?
Mr Pinney said: “It’s to safeguarding members of the public who use taxis.”
He added that the other licensing requirements would continue on a three yearly basis.
Earlier this month increases to two of three types of taxi licences came into force.
The fees for 2024/2025 which don’t include the cost for DBS checks are:
Hackney carriage private hire (1 year): £150 going up from £146 this year.
Driver licence (3 years): £284 up from £270.50 this year.
Private Hire Operators (5 years): £355 down from £358 this year.
An Edinburgh taxi driver has been accused of being 'blunt and unhelpful', mounting a kerb and using aggressive and inappropriate language while driving a passenger.
EdinburghLive reports that cabbie Baris Eroglu had his licence reviewed by City of Edinburgh Council's Licensing Sub-Committee of the Regulatory Committee after three passengers in three months submitted official complaints about his conduct.
In addition, when the subject of a routine compliance check by enforcement officers, Eroglu was unable to produce a valid certificate of insurance for his taxi, this being a breach of licence conditions. He also reportedly swore at officials.
One passenger alleges that while Eroglu was driving them to their destination, he mounted a kerb and used aggressive and inappropriate language towards a third-party.
At the time, officers issued him with advice that he should ensure that his interactions with members of the public remain professional at all times.
The second complainant alleges that Eroglu was 'unhelpful and blunt' on two separate occasions, failing to provide the customer adequate assistance with his shopping.
A third passenger submitted a complaint after becoming concerned with Eroglu's conduct while carrying out his job.
Council officers invited Mr Eroglu to a meeting to discuss the complaints, however he told them he was no longer in Edinburgh and was unsure when he would return.
After an officer reminded him it was a serious matter requiring discussion, Eroglu said: “Watch your f***ing words”. He has not been in contact since.
The Directorate of the Licensing sub-committee recommended that Eroglu have his licence suspended, as he is 'no longer a fit and proper person to be the holder of the licence.'
Source: https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/edinburgh-taxi-driver-used-aggressive-29037063
Liverpool Licensing and Merseyside Police patrolled the Victoria Street rank on a recent Saturday night.
“For a number of weeks now Liverpool Licensing and Merseyside Police have been issuing Taxi Rank notices to unauthorised vehicles on Victoria St Taxi Rank warning the owners that their vehicle could be towed away - we are now doing exactly that - Taxi Ranks are for Taxis only! “
Veezu has donated £1,000 to Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation through the funded by Veezu Programme.
Funded by Veezu is an initiative in which local residents, charities and sports teams can apply for funding and grants, set up to improve the communities in which Veezu operates.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation is the official charity of Wolves FC and has delivered over 45 unique projects across the city in health and wellbeing, developing education and skills, and encouraging community. The Foundation supports people of all ages and abilities.
Kieron Ansell, Wolves Foundation Business Development Manager Business said: “We are really appreciative of the generous donation made by Veezu and would like to pass on the thanks of everyone at Wolves Foundation for the support.
“This funding is the only way we can deliver these wide-ranging works. In supporting us with this donation, Veezu are directly impacting our projects and helping us to make a positive difference in our local communities."
Graham Hoof, Regional Operations Director for Veezu, said: “The Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation does incredible work in supporting the Wolverhampton community. We are delighted to be giving back and contributing towards building better outcomes for the people of Wolverhampton.
“Working within the community is a big part of what we do at Veezu, and we want to support as many local groups and charities as we can. Funded by Veezu has already been incredibly successful in making the work of local groups and charities possible, and we look forward to making a positive impact for the Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation.”
A man who hit a taxi driver in the face with a broken bottle causing permanent scarring has been jailed for more than three years.
The Lancashire Telegrpah reports that Craig Davies, 38, from Burnley, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and was sentenced to 40 months in jail at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 22 April.
The court heard how at around 8am on Tuesday 16 August 2022, a drunken Davies was carrying a bottle of wine and smoking a cigarette when he approached the victim’s cab which was parked in the rank at Liverpool Lime Street station.
The driver refused the fare given the visible level of Davies' condition to which Davies responded by swearing at him and trying to get in the front passenger seat.
Realising the door was locked he began headbutting the window.
Fearing the glass would smash, the driver, who was 62 at the time of the attack, got out of the car and confronted Davies who smashed the glass wine bottle he was carrying on a metal bollard and slashed him across the face with it.
Davies was identified by the victim just minutes later and British Transport Police officers arrested him on suspicion of assault.
Investigating officer DC Juliet Thomas said: “This was a horrifying attack on a man who was simply earning a living and attempting to protect his property.
“The victim has been left traumatised by what happened and feels nervous going about his everyday job, this in addition to the permanent facial scarring which Davies inflicted in his alcohol fuelled rage.
“Being intoxicated and claiming to thus have little memory of such a vicious attack is no defence as is clearly demonstrated by the sentence handed down by the courts.”
Madeh Ahmadi, from Handforth, pleaded guilty to plying for hire whilst he was not licensed as a hackney carriage at Liverpool and Knowsley Magistrates’ Court.
Dr Gareth Carey threatened a taxi driver and kicked off his car's wing mirror after failing to pay his £28 fare.
Trevor Storey, 63, was charged £253 instead of £4 when he dropped a customer off on April 14. The machine didn't issue a receipt and Trevor failed to notice the eyewatering charge.
A private hire driver has told how a Household Cavalry horse "smashed" into his people carrier lifting part of the car into the air, as seven horses got loose during an exercise and ran amok.
A previously flat 20 per cent commission rate has been replaced with differing rates dependent on the total number of jobs drivers complete.
At a meeting of the Democratic Services committee on Monday, April 22 councillors received a report which said that tweaks were needed to the Powys County Council constitution.
An Edinburgh taxi driver accused of being 'blunt and unhelpful' as well as mounting a kerb and using aggressive and inappropriate language faces losing his licence.
Liverpool Licensing and Merseyside Police have been issuing Taxi Rank notices to unauthorised vehicles on Victoria St Taxi Rank warning the owners that their vehicle could be towed away.
Funded by Veezu is an initiative in which local residents, charities and sports teams can apply for funding and grants, set up to improve the communities in which Veezu operates.
A man who hit a taxi driver in the face with a broken bottle causing permanent scarring has been jailed for more than three years.