“Thanks Joy, are you the only councillor that reads these things? Or are you the only councillor/ council employee, who has satisfactory explanations for their actions?Perhaps you could "stir up" for me the person, or persons, responsible for the waste that is occurring in the 'bus station ? It might be Terry Follows,I have tried, to no avail, YET. to get someone to have 4 sodium vapour lamps repaired. The lamps, that must be 300 watts each, have been constantly on 24 hours a day for months.How green is that? how much is it costing US? I say us, because they do not belong to "First" as you might imagine. How do I know this? I have been campaigning for over a month now to get the lights repaired. I have contacted the "light" people, P.F.I. Lighting Portal, who have not got them on their maps, (probably the fault of the council) I have contacted several people on the council, who admit it is a waste, and needs addressing as a priority, but have failed to do anything about it. A local councillor has apparently failed, as though he was on the case, nothing has transpired. My latest reply from a council employee is that if it is going to cost anything to repair them perhaps it would be better to leave them on until the new 'bus station is built, (words to that effect) This is why we will have difficulty trying to reduce our spending,(for spending read waste) by £30 million when, something that is Not green, and is probably the equivalent to the using of 30 one bar electric fires every day is not considered a priority.”

“Joy, thanks for clarification.”

“As Chair of the committee I feel I must clarify the issues here, and STOP the unwarranted villifying of the Councils Licensing officers.

"Will Joy Garner inform us why a person without a driving licence has been issued with a taxi licence by the council in the first place. Those who issue the licences along with their managers need to be severely disciplined (or sacked) for gross misconduct and putting the public at risk.
Andi, Stoke "

Andi, Stoke.
This report is based on the public minutes of the Licensing and Registration Panel. The hearing is in private, and so are the details, until or unless a driver or operator has an appeal heard at the majistrates court.

This person had a full driving license until he lost it for, hense he no longer had a driving license, and the panel revoked his Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Drivers License.

Kieth, ex-Kidsgrove.
It has always been, and is still very much harder to get a license in the City than in the Borough. I can not comment on the licenses given by Newcastle.


Mick Penning.
"Just one instance to mention here -Last Xmas I had call to ask Drivers on Newcastle Taxi Rank to show me their 'badge - Taxi Drivers' Identity cards' -which should be worn on the lapel or at least set in a prominent position on the dashboard.
Only one of the eight I asked was able to show it to me. There excuse was either that they didn't have to have it on display -or I had no right to demand a sighting of it."

The Law states (not a mere council condition), that the very minimum a Private Hire or Hackney Carriage driver and vehicle should have as licenses, is a badge on the drivers person ie around the neck or fastened on the visible torso, and a license plate on the rear of the vehicle. Both must be visible at all times, even if the driver is driving and not working, as a licensed car is a licensed car 24/7 regardless. It is an offence dealt with at court if not on show.
The knowledge test in Stoke is strict, and many do not pass it. Basic tests in English and maths (to give change and write receipts etc), are part of it.

Steve, Stoke.
Many modern taxi's and private hire cars do have debit card machines. When you ring for a car, ask the operator if that company uses them, as some in Stoke do, and many across the country do too.

Mick Penning.
"You can bet that's at the heart of the problem here. In a word, and as I keep saying -'nepotism'. How else can such glaring errors be so often repeated time and time again?"

As I said, there is no officer error here. As for nepotism, if you have any proof of this, you should formally complain to Paul Hackney the Councils chief Legal Officer.

Joy Garner ,Chair Licensing and Registration Panel.”

“I agree with 'Andy, Stoke'. How the heck did this guy get a taxi licence with no driving licence (and therefore no insurance and possibly road tax), and what's being done by the council to stop issuing taxi licences willy nilly in future? Come on The Sentinel, ask some difficult questions. What a farce!”

“Joy Garner, how about answering the questions that have been asked? We complain, quite rightly about our useless "worthies', which is like water off a ducks back, and devious gits that you are, you think, often quite rightly, that a moan will satisfy us.HOW ABOUT SOME ANSWERS?”

“To tax a private vehicle you need proof of a valid MOT and insurance - dead east to administer. Company fleet managers ask for copies of up to date driving licences as a matter of routine. So why on earth do the council not ask for a copy of a valid driving licence when approving taxi drivers - the world has gone mad!!! Perhaps one of those overpaid consultants that the city council employ could implement this?”

“You are right Gaz -wide open to abuse and until the Police investigate Hackney Carriage Depts decisions based on incompetence -and leading to authorising people to Drive Taxis illegally -nothing will change.
Civil Servants -in whatever field of Service -have a tendency to come from the same families -traditionally.

You can bet that's at the heart of the problem here. In a word, and as I keep saying -'nepotism'. How else can such glaring errors be so often repeated time and time again?
Get Geoff on the case.”

“It really is shocking the guy got the licence in the first place, Are there any more like this? And yes, steve is right...Lets face it,,, who the hell would be honest and declare every fare they took? one for the back pocket sir!... and whilst this theory avoids the payment of tax on this earning, It can also allow a driver to claim benefits (children/low wage etc etc) so they can do very well out of it, Thank you. Being self employed with a "canny" accountant is a good earner.”

“Lock them up i say.. i bet he is claiming benefits tooo... and is not english and has 34 kids at home all being paid for by us real tax payers...i wish i could pay by debit card in taxis these days because most of these taxi drivers dont pay tax.. they probally say they only earn £200 a week but in know of a taxi man who earns over £250 in a wk end alone... the only way we will get this country back on its feet is by issuing these kind of people with large fines.. not £2-300 but £5000 fine.. and lets make a difference..we are a soft touch in uk, stoke especially..”

“Make them accept debit/credit cards, the numbers would plummet.”